Thursday Night Fallout: Updates on bruised Birds, new Eagles Odds

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Eagles are on cloud nine after a statement win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football last night, but they did come out of that game with some bumps and bruises from the physical affair and some praise from Las Vegas for another well-rounded performance. 

Chris Maragos, Jordan Hicks, and Mack Hollins all left Thursday night's game with injuries, and a day later we have insight into the severity of their ailments. 

Special teams ace Chris Maragos got injured covering a punt and needed help off of the field. Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Maragos told him personally that the injury is a torn PCL and ACL in his right knee. Doug Pederson said that Maragos needs more testing before the team can determine how severe the injury will be but the prognosis does not appear to be good. 

Mack Hollins and Jordan Hicks are both expected to be okay for next Monday night's tilt with the Washington Redskins. Hicks did not return after the first half with an ankle and Mack Hollins stayed down on the field after covering a punt. Hollins will have increased importance on special teams with Maragos likely out for a long time. 

As for previously injured players, Ronald Darby (dislocated ankle) traveled with the team to Carolina and Pederson said that he has been increasing his activity, but he does not expect Darby to take part in practices next week. 

Sidney Jones, who suffered an achilles injury on his pro day prior to the NFL Draft, is eligible to return to the practice field this tuesday after being placed on the non-football injury list, but the team has reiterated that they are in no rush to get Jones on the field, preferring to wait until they are confident that he is one hundred percent healthy. 

Running back Wendell Smallwood is getting closer to a return from an undisclosed knee injury.  "I would anticipate him maybe doing a little something next week in practice but not 100 percent yet with him," said Pederson in a press conference today. 

There was no update given on Lane Johnson's progress with the concussion that he sustained in week 5, however he and the rest of the wounded birds will have some extra time to recover with Doug Pederson deciding to treat the remainder of the week as a bye, giving the team and coaches off until next week. 

Much was made last night about the officiating from Pete Morelli's crew, and it followed a recent trend as Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia pointed out following the game:

Despite the questionable officiating, the Eagles have been receiving praise for their performance on Thursday night, and Las Vegas has taken notice of the Birds' strong play. 

Carson Wentz now has the third best odds to win NFL MVP according to Bovada, with 6/1 odds. He trails only Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady, and is tied with Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs. Rodgers is currently the favorite, with 3/2 odds. 

As a team, the Eagles now carry the fourth best odds to win the Super Bowl at 8/1. The New England Patriots are the favorites with 9/2 odds, and the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs round out the top three. 

With three straight home games coming up for the Eagles, you may want to get your bets in before the Eagles keep shrinking those odds. 

One final note is that the Carolina Panthers have identified the fan who assaulted an Eagles fan during the game last night. the video of the incident can be seen here, but be warned that it includes graphic violence and language. 

The Panthers statement on the matter can be seen below:

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