In the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, two Eagles players—receiver Tyrie Cleveland and rookie defensive lineman Moro Ojomo—were helped off the field with neck injuries. The club reported that both players’ extremities can move.
“I haven’t talked to the doctors yet but it sounds like they’re moving around,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “I don’t know anything else besides that.”
Philadelphia suffered several injuries that night. Zech McPhearson, a cornerback, was declared out of the contest early in the second quarter after suffering an ankle injury. Both receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie first-round pick Nolan Smith left the game due to injuries to their shoulders. Josh Andrews, an offensive lineman, exited the game in the first half after suffering an ankle injury and did not come back.
Smith, whose strong performance during training camp has drawn attention, told reporters afterward that he is “feeling good” and that he was removed from the game out of caution.
The future doesn’t seem as bright for McPhearson. He deflected a ball and fell to the ground, unable to bear any weight on his right leg. Before being carried inside, he received assistance leaving the field.
The most terrifying incidents was Cleveland’s injuries, who fell on his head and neck while attempting to make a diving grab, and Ojomo’s apparent unintentional contact with a teammate on a different play.
Before being put on stretchers while teammates encircled them, both remained on the ground for a considerable amount of time.
“Your heart goes out to them first and foremost, and you just think about your teammate,” said quarterback Marcus Mariota. “We play a game and it’s a blessing to play a game but when these situations get like that, it is scary.”
