Fletcher

Cox

Cox announced on his Instagram that he “made the decision to retire from the game of football.” After 12 seasons, all with the Eagles, Cox ends with an accomplished career. He finishes as a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time second-team All-Pro, one-time first-team All-Pro, and Super Bowl LII champion. Drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State, Cox started every game he played for the Eagles from his second season to his last. With 70 career sacks and 351 career solo tackles, Cox joins Jason Kelce as the latest long-tenured Eagle to retire.

Cox exited last week’s contest against the Bills and didn’t return to the field. He wasn’t able to get in a practice this week, leading us to believe he’s trending toward missing Week 13’s contest despite being listed as questionable. Linebacker Zach Cunningham, who also exited last week’s contest with a hamstring injury, has already been ruled out for Week 13.

Two straight missed practices for Cox have him trending in the wrong direction for Week 13’s matchup against the 49ers. The veteran defensive tackle has totaled 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 10 games for the Eagles. His absence on Sunday could create more opportunities for Jordan Davis, who has played on 132 fewer snaps than Cox despite playing in one more game. In addition to Cox, linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) also missed Thursday’s practice.

Cox suffered the groin injury in the second quarter of Philly’s Week 12 matchup with the Bills. A DNP to start the week is not a good sign for his availability versus the 49ers. The Eagles have enough depth on the defensive line to handle his absence, though it’s never good to lose a veteran of his caliber.

Cox exited in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Bills and was walking gingerly to the sideline. The veteran defensive tackle made his way to the sideline and then the locker room and was ruled as questionable to return shortly after. We’ll provide an update if he returns in the second half.

Cox received an epidural injection last week and was forced to sit out of the Eagles’ Week 5 matchup with the Rams. The back issue wasn’t expected to sideline him for more than a game, and his return to practice confirms that. Cox has 10 tackles and a recovered fumble through four appearances.

Cox has been experiencing discomfort in his back over the past couple weeks. The epidural injection procedure he underwent this week aims to decrease the pain with the expectation that he will miss not more than one game, if any. If he cannot go in Week 5 against the Rams, Cox expects to return Week 6 against the Jets.

Safety Reed Blankenship and running back Kenneth Gainwell also missed practice with a rib injury, while LB Nakobe Dean (foot) and CB James Bradberry (concussion) were held out with various ailments. The Eagles host the Vikings on a quick turnaround when the two teams square off on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cox, 32, received “more lucrative offers” on the open market, but opted to return to Philly. Cox will now play on his second-straight one-year deal with the Eagles but is fresh off a season in which he totaled seven sacks -- his most since 2019 (10.5). Having lost a handful of veterans to free agency out the gate, Cox’s return is a win for an Eagles defense that will feature several new faces.

This was expected after the Eagles released Cox to avoid paying him a fully guaranteed $18 million. Cox has spent his entire 10-year career in Philly and didn’t drop off despite missing the Pro Bowl last year, recording 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 12 TFLs while grading out positively against the run. Cox will return to anchor an Eagles defensive line that added LB Haason Reddick to play off the edge this offseason.