Wide receiver DeVonta Smith returned to practice in a limited capacity on Saturday and will be ready for the Giants’ Christmas Day game. Smith missed practice on Thursday and Friday because of a knee problem.
It will be at least a week before cornerback Avonte Maddox (pectoral) returns from the injured reserve. Despite Maddox’s full participation in practice this week, the Eagles have declared the starter in the slot out for Monday’s game.
The Eagles will also be without linebacker Zach Cunningham (knee), Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson (thumb), and Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay (knee). The Eagles will get back starting right guard Cam Jurgens, who missed the Monday night game in Seattle with a pectoral injury. He was a full participant in practice all week.
Linebacker has missed all of practice this week due to an abdominal issue, but he is listed as questionable for the game. Outside of Morrow, the Eagles have Shaquille Leonard and rookie Ben VanSumeren as off-ball linebackers.
“He’s continuing to improve, and you can see his athletic ability,” Sirianni said of VanSumeren. “It is on exhibit. He started out on the practice squad. We wanted to bring him up because of his athletic abilities and how that can help on special teams.
“You’re starting to see it play a bigger role in how practice looks and games. We’re quite happy about his progress and accomplishments. We’re incredibly pleased with the room. I mean, the entire room, including the men who aren’t in the room but are cross-training in it.”
Sirianni said of the linebacker reserves, “If it’s their opportunity, what an opportunity to go out and play against a division rival.”
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