Avonte Maddox was evaluated at the hospital last night and diagnosed with a concussion and a neck injury. Doctors determined he was safe to travel with the team back to Philadelphia to undergo further testing. This injury came with about a minute left in the game and he had to be removed from the field via stretcher.
"He did come back with the team. He's in great spirits," head coach Doug Pederson said. "I have not had the chance to meet with him this morning. He went home and came back for further evaluation. I think our medical team did a great job communicating through Howie (Roseman) and myself and communicating with the team. They understood where we were and supported Avonte."
With the prior injuries at cornerback, this position group has a decreasing number of healthy players available. Ronald Darby did not practice last week due to a hamstring injury and Sidney Jones left Thursday night's game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury as well. Pederson acknowledges the difficulties that come along with a whole position group being hurt, as this team has already experienced a similar situation.
"It's challenging. It is challenging just like it was with receivers, now it's affecting the defensive backs," Pederson said. "It's fortunate that we have some days here to get guys healthy and we'll probably have a better update in the middle of next week."
Cornerback Craig James was able to step up last night when the injuries started to bring his teammates down. The Southern Illinois product has bounced back and forth from the active roster to the practice squad over the course of the season. Last night, he tipped the ball from quarterback Aaron Rodgers that led to Nigel Bradham's interception to secure the Eagles' victory. Pederson spoke highly of James and sees him as someone who could help in the future.
"He is definitely a viable option going forward. He was primarily a special teams player when we brought him in originally," Pederson said. "He's a smart kid. He did a great job stepping in."
As for wide receiver DeSean Jackson's injury status (abdomen), his availability remains uncertain for the October 6 game against the Jets. He will undergo further tests next week.
