The Philadelphia Eagles have been dealt a major blow ahead of their crucial matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Starting cornerback Darius Slay, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained in practice on Thursday.

Slay's absence is a significant loss for the Eagles' defense, which ranks among the top units in the NFL. He is a shutdown cornerback with exceptional coverage skills and a knack for making big plays. His ability to shadow opposing receivers and disrupt passing lanes will be sorely missed.

Without Slay, the Eagles will have to rely on their depth at the cornerback position. Avonte Maddox, who has started several games this season, is expected to step into Slay's role as the starter. Zech McPhearson and Josiah Scott are also available as backups.

However, replacing Slay is no easy task. He is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and his presence on the field cannot be underestimated. The Ravens, who boast a high-powered offense led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, will likely try to exploit the Eagles' weakened secondary.

To compensate for Slay's absence, the Eagles will need to adjust their defensive scheme. They may use more zone coverage, which spreads the defense out and makes it harder for receivers to get open. They could also blitz more often to put pressure on Jackson and force him to make quick decisions.

Additionally, the Eagles will need to rely on their pass rush to generate pressure and disrupt the Ravens' timing. Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat have been formidable pass rushers this season and will need to step up even more without Slay in the lineup.

The Eagles are still a formidable team, but Slay's injury certainly diminishes their chances of winning against the Ravens. They will need to play a near-perfect game on defense and hope their offense can produce enough points to overcome the Ravens' high-scoring attack.

If the Eagles can pull off an upset without Slay, it would be a testament to their depth and resilience. However, the Ravens are a tough opponent, and the Eagles will have their work cut out for them on Sunday.

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