Surprising Candidate Emerges as Potential Avonte Maddox Replacement

The banged-up Philadelphia Eagles secondary took another hit in Week 2 as slot cornerback Avonte Maddox suffered a torn pec against the Minnesota Vikings during Thursday Night Football. He’ll now be indefinitely sidelined after having surgery and is a long shot to return during the 2023 season.

Despite this major injury, head coach Nick Sirianni has expressed confidence in his current group of CBs to step up in place of Maddox. However, a surprising new candidate has emerged as a possible replacement.

Avonte Maddox Replacement

Philadelphia is hosting veteran William Jackson III for a workout on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. He most recently spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders and now could find a new home in the NFC East.

It’s not too difficult to see why the Eagles have interest in Jackson. He has plenty of experience (75 games, 64 starts), which would provide this secondary with another contributor who’s capable of stepping up if called upon. That should also allow him to catch on quickly, especially since he’s already familiar with Philly as a former rival.

However, it’s a little bit of a shock to see the Eagles considering Jackson given his injury history. The former first-round pick only played four games in 2022 before he was sidelined due to a bulging disk in his back that cost him the rest of the campaign. He also missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn pec, just like Maddox.

Though the talented CB stayed relatively problem-free until last year’s injury, that’s two significant health problems he’s already faced. And now Jackson is nearly 31 years old attempting to get back in the league.

Schultz says Jackson is “fully healthy,” which could quell some concerns. But he’s also had a few free-agent visits this offseason, including one with the nearby New York Giants, and didn’t come away with a deal. Whether it’s fit or health, something has held Jackson back from landing somewhere new.

With 5 interceptions and 51 passes defended over six seasons, Jackson is obviously a playmaker when at full strength. Perhaps Philly brings him in as a depth option to evaluate what he still has left in the tank.

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