Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay left Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an apparent injury, as reported by Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports. The Eagles found themselves in a significant deficit early in the game, and Slay’s absence was felt as the defense struggled. The team is already facing depth issues in the cornerback position, and Slay’s injury raised concerns about the increased pressure on rookie Quinyon Mitchell to perform. Isaiah Rodgers took over Slay’s responsibilities on the field.
Fortunately for the Eagles, Slay was able to return to the game, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. His presence was crucial, as the team needed strong defensive plays to mount a comeback. Although Philadelphia’s offense managed to score a couple of touchdowns in the second half, a critical fumble by Jalen Hurts in the opponent’s territory severely hampered their chances of rallying for a win.
The Eagles aimed to improve their record to 3-1, which would temporarily place them in first place in the NFC East, depending on the outcome of the Washington Commanders’ game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, the likelihood of a comeback win seemed slim, especially given the injuries to key players like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson, all of whom are essential to the Eagles’ offensive success. With these injuries, the burden shifted to Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert to carry the team. Securing the return of Brown, Smith, and Johnson will be vital for the Eagles as they navigate a competitive NFC East landscape, even if they face a probable loss in this game.