Through 10 games, the Eagles defense already has had eight starters and key substitutes (nickel linebacker or nickel or dime cornerback) miss a total of 28 games due to injury/suspension. Through 10 games last year, the defense didn't have a single starter or key sub miss a game. A games-missed breakdown of the Eagles' 2009 defense:
MLB Stewart Bradley: 10, knee
LDE Victor Abiamiri: 3, knee
SLB Chris Gocong: 1, quad & hamstring
WLB Akeem Jordan: 2, knee
FS Macho Harris: 1 ankle
MLB Omar Gaither: 7, foot
CB Joselio Hanson: 2, suspended
CB Ellis Hobbs: 2, neck/spine
Despite all of its injury problems, the Eagles' defense still has managed to hold eight of its first 10 opponents to 20 or fewer points and is ranked eighth in the league in yards allowed and second in sacks and takeaways.
A look at how this year's unit measures up to last year's after 10 games, along with their respective league rankings (in parentheses):
2009:
Points/Game: 20.4 (13)
Yards/Game: 305.1 (8)
Yards/Rush: 3.91 (6)
Pass Yds./Att.: 6.43 (1)
Completion Pct.: 60.5 (15)
Passing TD: 15 (19)
Sacks: 30 (2)
Takeaways: 23 (2)
Third Down Pct.: 33.1 (3)
2008:
Points/Game: 17.3, (8)
Yards/Game: 292.6 (7)
Yards/Rush: 3.57 (6)
Pass Yds./Att.: 6.50 (6)
Completion Pct.: 56.4 (4)
Passing TD: 13 (14)
Sacks: 36 (1)
Takeaways: 18 (5)
Third Down Pct.: 33.1 (4)
