Jalyx Hunt is headed toward Week 6 on the sideline, and the Eagles are not expecting a late surprise.
After the ankle/knee injury he suffered against the Jaguars in London, Hunt is not expected to be available against the Panthers. Vic Fangio didn’t leave much room for optimism when asked about the rookie edge rusher’s chances.
“Yeah, I think it'll be pretty miraculous for Jalyx to play this week,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “But he's the kind of guy, he's going to be pushing the envelope and making the medical people clear him. He's not going to be one of those guys that's going to be hesitant to come back.”
Hunt, 25, was hurt on the last play before halftime during a huge Eagles goal line stand. The injury came on a scramble for a loose ball, though the play ultimately was not ruled a fumble.
He was visibly in pain afterward but declined the cart. By the end of the game, he was in the locker room at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
The good news for Philadelphia is that another edge rusher might be on the way back. Jonathan Greenard sat out the Jaguars game with an ankle injury, but he was close enough to suit up that he traveled to London and went through pregame work before being held out.
“Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go this week,” Fangio said. “But we got to see.”
If Greenard is cleared, the Eagles could line up with Greenard, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa as their edge rotation.
Against Jacksonville, they had to get through the second half without Hunt and finished with only Smith, Ebiketie and Epenesa at the position. Hunt logged 31 snaps before leaving, while Smith led the group with 58.
Ebiketie played 38 snaps and Epenesa 15, both season highs.
The Eagles do have some depth waiting on the practice squad if they need it, with Keyshawn James-Newby, Mason Reiger and Joshua Weru all listed as outside linebackers. Still, the edge group is only one piece of a bigger injury picture Philadelphia is dealing with right now.
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