5 Eagles Most Likely to Be Inactive vs Vikings on Thursday Night Football

3. Reed Blankenship

Speaking of injuries, starting safety Reed Blankenship is also looking unlikely to play against the Vikings due to a rib issue of his own.

Safety is another one of the Eagles’ deepest positions, but this one stings a little more than Gainwell. Blankenship was the one clear starter in the safety room, with the other guys all fighting it out to be the second starter at the position.

Justin Reed was on the field next to Blankenship for almost every down in Week 1, and we know he’ll continue to do that on Thursday. The question then is whether it’s rookie Sydney Brown or veteran Terrell Edmunds filling in for Blankenship.

My money’s on Edmunds. It’s easier for a vet to be ready on a short week, and he got a few defensive snaps in Week 1 while Brown only touched the field for special teams.

Neither one is a direct replacement for Blankenship, though. This absence is going to send waves through Philadelphia’s secondary, and even in run defense.

T.J. Hockenson is going to be excited to see Blankenship inactive, and it’s going to hurt for Eagles fans.