Are 2 Eagles defensive starters in danger of missing Sunday’s game vs. 49ers?

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles edge rushers and defensive linemen were taking part in their drills Thursday at the NovaCare Complex, with each player firing off at the snap at the direction of their position coaches. Nearby, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was working with a trainer, using an elastic band as part of his rehabbing from a groin injury he suffered in Sunday’s overtime win against the Buffalo Bills. However, the Eagles are facing the prospect of being without Cox Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field when the Eagles take on the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field.

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Cox did not participate in Thursday’s practice, a day after being sidelined for Wednesday’s walkthrough. Cox has played well in the middle of the Eagles defensive line, getting 1.5 sacks, 18 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, 10 hurries and 20 pressures in 10 games this season. Cox did miss one game this season against the Los Angeles Rams because of a back injury. If Cox cannot play, the Eagles will rely heavily on Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter to play in significant snaps, with Carter playing 76 snaps last game and Davis, who was limited Thursday with a hamstring injury, being on the field for 62.

The two could get some help with Milton Williams being a full participant in practice Thursday. Williams did not play against the Bills because he was in concussion protocol, but his return would help an Eagles run defense that has allowed 85.3 yards per game to go against the 49ers’ seventh-ranked rushing offense (136 yards per game).

The Eagles also were without starting linebacker Zach Cunningham , who is dealing with a hamstring injury, making the linebacking corps very thin, with Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss being the only healthy players at the position to have a defensive snap last week that is available to play against the 49ers. The Eagles did make a move Thursday, adding Ben VanSumeren to the active roster. VanSumeren, an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, was out of practice squad elevations and needed to be added to the active roster if the team wanted to use him again on special teams or in defensive packages. The Eagles made room by waiving defensive back Josiah Scott Tuesday and then re-signing him to the practice squad Thursday.

Right tackle Lane Johnson is on the practice field today. Johnson was held out of last Sunday's game because of a groin issue. Johnson was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough because of a groin issue #Eagles pic.twitter.com/xBkEueCVtx

— Chris Franklin November 30, 2023

Safety Justin Evans and tight ends Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are also trending to miss the game. Meanwhile wide receivers A.J. Brown (thigh) and Julio Jones (knee) were limited in practice, but should be available to play. The Eagles also saw right tackle Lane Johnson practice for a second straight day as he works his way back from a groin injury that forced him to sit out the Bills game.