The Philadelphia Eagles have elevated Tristin McCollum and Mekhi Garner from the practice squad for their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Safety Reed Blankenship, who was questionable due to a groin injury, is inactive, and Avonte Maddox will start in his place. The Eagles' inactives also include A.J. Brown, Sydney Brown, Tanner McKee, Moro Ojomo, Rashaad Penny, and Tyler Steen. Avonte Maddox is expected to replace Reed Blankenship at safety, with Bradley Roby and Mekhi Garner also involved in the defensive lineup.
Avonte Maddox gets the start at safety for the Eagles in place of Reed Blankenship.
Bradley Roby was the first-team slot in pre-game warmups. Mekhi Garner worked behind Avonte Maddox at safety with the second-team #Eagles
#Eagles at #Bucs Inactives: Who Joins A.J. Brown as OUT? NFL Playoff Tracker https://t.co/5EezAa0Iot
#Eagles inactives: S Reed Blankenship WR A.J. Brown S Sydney Brown QB Tanner McKee (3d QB) DT Moro Ojomo RB Rashaad Penny OL Tyler Steen
Looks like Reed Blankenship won't play tonight. He hasn't practiced all week and is not participating in warmups at this point. (He worked out earlier.) Look for Avonte Maddox to play safety — something that reporters (and fans) have asked about for five years.
Avonte Maddox will be the likely replacement for Reed Blankenship. Last time he played some safety was last season vs. the Bears. His most time there came in his rookie season in 2018. Bradley Roby or James Bradberry or Eli Ricks or some combination of the three could play slot… https://t.co/BYffAqF1I3
Reed Blankenship was off to the side in pre-game warmups and running through some things with Avonte Maddox. Looks like Reed will be inactive and Maddox will start next to Kevin Byard at safety as expected. #Eagles
Reed Blankenship (groin, questionable) is on the field watching the DBs go through warmups. Standing at the 45 with his arms crossed. He's not participating. I would imagine this does not bode well for his availability. Inactives out in about 20 minutes. https://t.co/Q2kay9EAaB
Reed Blankenship was on the field a while ago testing out his injured groin, but he's just watching the other DBs warm-up now. The #Eagles safety was listed questionable coming into tonight's game at the Bucs, even though he didn't practice last week. Looks like he's a no go.
Safety Reed Blankenship (left) on the field with Avonte Maddox before warmups. Blankenship is still questionable with a groin injury, and Maddox would likely be the one replacing him. https://t.co/QSVembDpWG
#Eagles elevated DB Tristin McCollum and CB Mekhi Garner from the Practice Squad for tonight's game.
The Eagles elevated DB Tristin McCollum and Mekhi Garner for tonight’s game. Of note: These are practice squad elevations. They did not put Sydney Brown on IR. So McCollum and Garner remain on practice squad.
#Eagles have elevated DB Tristin McCollum and CB Mekhi Garner from the Practice Squad for tonight's game.