Eagles put Jordan Mailata on IR. Latest on Dallas Goedert, Darius Slay, Jalen Carter vs Giants

PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles got some good news Friday when defensive tackle Jalen Carter and cornerback Darius Slay returned to practice.

Carter, who suffered a shoulder injury Wednesday in practice, was cleared to play Sunday when the Eagles face the Giants. Slay, who hurt his knee last Sunday against the Browns, was listed as questionable on the final injury report for the week.

But left tackle Jordan Mailata was placed on injured reserve Friday, and tight end Dallas Goedert (both hamstring) were both ruled out for the game. Mailata will have to miss a minimum of four games. That means he won't be eligible to return until the November 14 game against the Washington Commanders.

Reserve cornerback Eli Ricks (groin) and reserve defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring) were also ruled out for Sunday.

Neither Mailata nor Goedert had practiced all week, and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had already said earlier in the week that Mailata will miss "a couple weeks."

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Sirianni said Carter's injury happened in practice Wednesday. So it was a positive sign that both he and Slay were full participants in practice Friday.

"When you're practicing hard, and practicing to get better, those things happen at times," Sirianni said.

Slay was a limited participant Wednesday before missing practice Thursday.

When asked if Slay had a setback that caused him to miss practice, Sirianni replied: "I'm hoping all of these guys are ready to go. We'll see as it goes, and (Friday) is going to tell a lot."

As for Carter, he has become a critical part of the defensive tackle position. Carter got his first sack of the season after having 6 last season as a rookie. He has played 74% of the snaps this season, by far the most among the defensive tackles.

"We’re only carrying five (defensive tackles), so if one drops down, there’s a world of problems that we have to fix," fellow defensive tackle Jordan Davis said. "I think where we’re at now, it’s just the chemistry and we’re trying to keep that together."

At least with Carter expected to play, the Eagles (3-2) don't have to worry about replacing Carter against the Giants (2-4).

But they do need a solution for Mailata. The most likely scenario is replacing him with Fred Johnson. Another would be moving Mekhi Becton from right guard back to his natural position at left tackle, and playing Tyler Steen at right guard.

Sirianni, however, said he likes how Becton has played at right guard, and how at 6-foot-7, 363 pounds, he can help shut down a defensive tackle, such as the Giants' Dexter Lawrence.

"Mekhi has done a nice job next to Lane (Johnson) on the line of scrimmage," Sirianni said. "He's a big man inside at guard ... There are about three or four blocks I see a game of the movement that happens on a 3-technique between Lane and Mehki, and that happens at practice a lot.

"Mehki is a big, powerful man."

By placing Mailata on IR, the Eagles have an open roster spot. That could go to safety Sydney Brown, who tore his ACL on Jan. 7. Brown had his 21-day practice window opened the week of Oct. 7.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl, on Threads and Instagram @martinfrank1.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles put Jordan Mailata on IR. Latest on Dallas Goedert, Darius Slay, Jalen Carter vs Giants