While the Philadelphia Eagles have been laser-focused on the offensive side of the ball, the issues on the other end of the field are also piling up. The pass rush rotation took a big hit after Za'Darius Smith's retirement, and the cornerback rotation is a mess with neither Kelee Ringo nor Adoree' Jackson giving the Eagles what they are looking for. To make matters worse, they are now dealing with an injury to Quinyon Mitchell, and the early reports are not promising.
Eagles Injury News: Quinyon Mitchell Now at Risk of Missing Week 7
Per ESPN's Tim McManus, the Eagles' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that it "remains to be seen" whether Mitchell will be available on Sunday vs. the Vikings. While that could also be a case of an experienced defensive coordinator being coy or playing mind games, it's likelier that they would have provided a more positive injury update if things were looking good for the second-year starter.
This update also shouldn't come as too big of a surprise. Mitchell left the Giants game in the first half with a hamstring injury. Hamstring injuries are notoriously difficult to come back early from, and every time a player leaves a game with a lower-leg issue and doesn't return, it usually takes at least a week or two of recovery time.
Considering that this was a mini-bye week for the Eagles, giving Mitchell additional days to heal could help his chances to suit up.
Eagles fans will desperately hope that their star cornerback will be ready to go up against the elite WR corps of Minnesota, including Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Both stars are off to excellent starts to the season, and the Eagles need their only elite corner available to have a chance at slowing them down.
Behind Mitchell, there isn't even a serviceable option on the roster. Cooper DeJean would probably move outside in Mitchell's absence, while Ringo and Jackson starting on the opposite side. Considering how badly Ringo looked against the likes of Wan'Dale Robinson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Thursday, it would likely be ill-advised to throw him out there to face Jefferson and Addison.
Fangio and Nick Sirianni are facing difficult decisions ahead of Week 7. If Mitchell can't go and his injury may be more serious than originally thought, the Eagles may have to be more active on the trade market to address their CB concerns. Wednesday's official injury report should give us a better idea about the cornerback room ahead of the Vikings clash.