PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Staying on top became a little tougher for the Philadelphia Eagles. Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and starting linebacker Jordan Hicks will miss the rest of the season after being injured in Monday’s 34-24 win
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Staying on top became a little tougher for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and starting linebacker Jordan Hicks will miss the rest of the season after being injured in Monday’s 34-24 win over Washington.
Peters tore his right ACL and MCL and Hicks ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Those are two big losses for the NFL-leading Eagles (6-1).
“Both of them are obviously significant,” coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday. “They will be missed.”
The Eagles already lost veteran return specialist Darren Sproles and special teams ace Chris Maragos to season-ending injuries. Top cornerback Ronald Darby has been out since Week 1 with an ankle injury.
“When you look at the injury list and the guys that we’ve lost, guys that are significant starters and role players, leaders on your football team, captains of your football team, it can make an impact,” Pederson said. “It’s definitely the next-man-up (mentality). We still have a lot of football left.”
Halapoulivaati Vaitai takes Peters’ spot. Najee Goode and Joe Walker filled in for Hicks against the Redskins.
Peters has anchored Philadelphia’s offensive line for a decade. He’s a team leader and teammates showed their respect by surrounding the cart before it took him off the field.
“He is a legend around here,” quarterback Carson Wentz said. “He is a future Hall of Famer. We love that guy. He means a lot to us.”
Hicks is a top playmaker on defense. He has seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 31 games.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “I think it shows a lot about the character of this team that we’re able to fight through adversity each and every week with the guys we have. No matter who’s out there, we have a firm belief that we’re going to win the game.”
The Eagles will host the winless San Francisco 49ers (0-7) on Sunday.
———
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP—NFL
———
Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP—RobMaaddi
