There were two very scary injuries in the Thursday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay's Jamaal Williams was taken to the hospital after a first-half injury. Philadelphia cornerback Avonte Maddox was carted off the field in the second half.
Avonte Maddox just took a huge shot to the head.
Eagles remaining healthy cornerbacks: Rasul Douglas, Craig James. That’s it.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) September 27, 2019
The scene at Lambeau Field was familiar: A thrilling football game loaded with dazzling offensive plays was brought to a complete halt. For nearly 10 minutes, a hushed stadium was reminded about the violence which is part of football… and the fragility of players' bodies and careers.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson publicly tweeted a prayer for Avonte Maddox after the frightening turn of events in Green Bay.
The tweet from a member of the pro football brotherhood underscored how difficult it sometimes is to love football. Knowing the game can be so vicious is precisely what counterbalances the joy and pleasure of seeing Carson Wentz and Aaron Rodgers wage a high-level duel on national television.
The delights of football coexist alongside the sport's haunting and unforgiving qualities.
As for the football-specific dimensions of this injury to Maddox, the lack of depth in the Eagles' secondary now becomes an even more central storyline in Philadelphia's season.
The Eagles avoided a 1-3 start, and it is true that they get a week and a half off before facing the New York Jets in early October. Philadelphia's injuries should not affect the Birds in that game.
However, Philadelphia then has to visit the Vikings (Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen) on Oct. 13 and the Dallas Cowboys (Amari Cooper) on Oct. 20. The Eagles cannot lose both of those games if they want to have a good chance of making the playoffs. They will need to win in Dallas to have a realistic chance of capturing the NFC East.
Eagles fans have to love what they saw from their offense in Week 4. How their secondary heals (or doesn't heal) in the coming weeks could be the central factor in the season's ultimate outcome.
Meanwhile, prayers to Avonte Maddox, his loved ones, and his teammates.
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