Will DeVonta Smith play on Black Friday?

Safety Reid Blankenship said he tore his hamstring while making a tackle in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at Dallas, forcing him to miss the game. Blankenship tried to build confidence in being able to run despite the injury, but he didn’t want to be a burden on the rest of the defense.

Blankenship said Tuesday that the injury was “a little sore, but it’s part of (football).” Had the Eagles practiced Tuesday he would have been a limited participant. The team conducted a walkthrough.

While Blankenship is on track to return for the Black Friday matchup against the Chicago Bears as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he expects Blankenship to play, he will have a different tag-team partner at safety Sidney Brown after rookie Andrew Mukuba suffered an ankle injury on the final drive of the game. Brown entered the game after Blankenship’s loss.

“I’m just playing my role and doing what I have to do to be successful,” Brown said. “It’s going to be amazing. That’s what I came here to do. I’m just welcoming this opportunity for what it is. I feel awesome for Drew. He’s had a great season so far. Doing a really good job in the secondary as a safety. As a young player I hate to see that happen. I can relate to him because I’ve been through it. I know what he’s going through is a tough process, but he’s going to get through it and he’s going to do it.” Back.”

Mukuba may not have practiced Tuesday and head coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that the rookie “will be out for a while.”

Safety is not the only position worth monitoring at the secondary level.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson would have been a full participant Tuesday, but he is under gameday concussion protocol evaluation. If Jackson is not cleared before the Black Friday game, the Eagles have several options. After suffering an injury Sunday, Cooper DeJean was moved from nickel to outside cornerback and Michael Carter II played in the slot.

Carter played his most extensive reps (25) on defense since being acquired from the Jets just before the trade deadline.

Blankenship said of Carter, “He’s very, very smart. He can play any position.” “In the meeting room, he’s asking high-level questions and that’s what you want. He’s only been here a few weeks and it feels like he’s been here for a long time based on what he’s asking and what he’s doing on the practice field. If he gets to play a lot, we’re very confident in that.”

In addition to Mukuba, four other Eagles will not practice Tuesday: punt returner Xavier Gipson (shoulder), defensive end Brandon Graham (groin), tackle Lane Johnson (foot), and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (shoulder/chest).

WR/PR Xavier Gipson (shoulder)
DE Brandon Graham (groin)
T Lane Johnson (foot)
S Andrew Mukuba (ankle)
WR DeVonta Smith (shoulder/chest)

RB Saquon Barkley (groin)
S Reed Blankenship (thigh)
G Landon Dickerson (knee)

T Miles Hinton (back)
CB Adoree’ Jackson (Gameday Concussion Protocol Evaluation)
G/C Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle)

*The Eagles conducted a walkthrough on Tuesday, so the injury report is an estimate.