The Philadelphia Eagles announced that four players will miss their Week 7 game against the New York Giants: tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring), offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (hamstring), cornerback Eli Ricks (groin), and defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring). Cornerback Darius Slay is listed as questionable. Mailata’s injury update on Friday was particularly concerning, leading the team to place the seven-year veteran on injured reserve. Fred Johnson is set to replace Mailata in the lineup; he has allowed two sacks on 76 pass-blocking attempts this season, according to Pro Football Focus, which gave him an overall grade of 50.5.
With Mailata out, the Eagles may consider adding depth at the offensive tackle position. Former Buccaneers draft pick Donovan Smith remains a free agent after winning Super Bowl 55 with Tampa Bay and Super Bowl 58 with the Chiefs. Signing Smith would be a significant improvement over Johnson at left tackle until Mailata returns. The ex-Penn State player has started in all 136 games he’s played and would provide valuable depth as a swing tackle, protecting against potential injuries to Mailata or right tackle Lane Johnson as the season progresses or during the playoffs. Given the substantial investments the Eagles have made in players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, it’s crucial to keep their quarterback protected for an effective passing game. The Eagles currently have over $11 million available for emergency signings, allowing them to potentially sign Smith in Week 8 while still leaving room for other significant moves as the trade deadline approaches.
