A medical professional’s assessment on Darius Slay’s injuries
Following knee surgery, Darius Slay has missed the Eagles’ last four games. He must return to the field for the Eagles to play the Buccaneers in the playoffs.
Under the “leadership” of Matt Patricia, the Eagles’ defense has been shredded over the past few weeks. Darius Slay, the top player in the Birds’ secondary, has also been absent at that time. Slay, 33, has missed the Eagles’ last four games. He was a Pro Bowl player for the team during each of the previous two seasons.
A knee arthroscopy was performed on Slay prior to the Eagles’ Week 15 game against the Seahawks. Although he hasn’t been on the field since, he participated in just a limited capacity in Eagles practices on Wednesday and Thursday, suggesting that he might be ready for the team’s playoff game against the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
The Eagles are currently struggling with a plethora of injuries. It’s logical to assume that Jalen Hurts’ dislocated finger on his throwing hand, sustained on Sunday at the Meadowlands, will have an impact on his performance. A.J. Brown sustained a knee injury and left the Giants game. DeVonta Smith was also absent from the regular season finale.
Although nothing has been heard regarding Slay’s injuries, it is still encouraging that he was able to practice last week, although in a limited capacity. PhillyVoice discussed Hurts’ injury with Dr. Dinesh Dhanaraj, an orthopedic surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center who specializes in sports medicine, to learn more about the procedure and recuperation time.
Nine times out of 10, it’s usually what’s called a partial meniscectomy where you just shave off a part of a meniscus that’s torn and causing irritation,” Dr. Dhanaraj said regarding the surgery.
“If he’s had arthroscopic knee surgery and he’s back in four weeks, he’s probably a partial meniscectomy or a debridement procedure,” said Dr. Dhanaraj. “For four to six weeks. On there, people can play. I’ve had athletes as patients who return to full-contact sports, like football, in four to six weeks. Being a trained athlete before the treatment clearly helps and speeds up recovery, but that’s not
unheard of. After a fast arthroscopic debridement treatment and partial meniscectomy, you can play almost at full speed and strength.”
The secondary for the Eagles has been in disarray, especially in Slay’s absence of late. James Bradberry, in his second year in Philadelphia, has significantly diminished. Young corners are being thrown into roles for which they are not yet ready. Encouraging chunk play after chunk play in the center is the safety spot. The Eagles are in serious need of Slay’s services on Monday, even if it means he’s not fully recovered, since Baker Mayfield is playing the finest football of his career and Mike Evans looks poised to roast these defensive backs.
