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Eagles Get Huge Injury News on Key Defender at Week 15 Practice

A major update on Reed Blankenship has emerged from an Eagles Week 15 practice ahead of their matchup with the Steelers.

By Jason Schandl

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) celebrates with teammates after his interception during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) celebrates with teammates after his interception during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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All the winning has obviously been the best part of the 2024 season for Philadelphia Eagles fans. The second-best part has probably been Saquon Barkley. But after that? Most fans will probably point to the complete transformation of the team's defensive backfield.

A massive weakness in 2023 (No. 28 in PFF's coverage grade) is suddenly a strength, and that's been led by a ton of fun young talent.

A big part of that has been Reed Blankenship, who PFF has graded out as Philly's second-best defensive back, putting him No. 13 among the 92 safeties graded on the year. So his absence hit fans particularly hard when a concussion sidelined him in Week 14. Well, fear not, Eagles fans.

Reed Blankenship Injury News is Huge for Eagles vs. Steelers

Reed Blankenship returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday. He was only a limited participant, but that signals he's progressed far enough through the league's concussion protocol that he could suit up on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

It's no coincidence that the Philly defense has an uncharacteristically poor game against the Panthers. Blankenship is often on the field for 100% of the Eagles' defensive snaps in a given game, and his absence is felt heavily in defending both the run and the pass.

Safety also isn't a position of depth for Philly. Tristin McCollum stepped in for Blankenship, and the downgrade was clear. He didn't make any sort of an impact in coverage, and he struggled mightily with missed tackles (PFF credited him with 3).

The return of Blankenship will go a long way to reinforcing this defense against a surprisingly fiery Steelers offense. It also won't hurt that star Steelers wideout George Pickens is set to miss this contest with a hamstring injury.

With Blankenship back in the fold, the betting markets expect Philly to really put the clamps on the Steelers. Russell Wilson's passing yard over/under on FanDuel Sportsbook is just 193.5. That's wildly below his average of 254.9 per game this season and is a testament to just how dangerous this secondary.

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