In preparation for their upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles were met with the absence of several key players during Thursday's practice session at the Linc.

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Zach Cunningham, tight ends Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra, and safety Justin Evans were all held out of practice due to various injuries. This follows their non-participation status reflected in the team's estimated injury report released on Wednesday after a walkthrough session.

One notable absence was Fletcher Cox, who very rarely misses games. Cox suffered a groin injury during the first half of their previous game against the Bills. Despite attempting to return in the third quarter, he was unable to continue. While Cox was observed as a spectator during Thursday's practice, he did engage in some individual work on a side field. Given his resiliency in the past, Cox remains a strong candidate to play even if he missed a week of practice.

Another significant absence for the Eagles is linebacker Zach Cunningham, who is unlikely to play this week due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Bills. Without Cunningham, the team will rely on Nicholas Morrow, Christian Elliss, and Ben VanSumeren to fill the linebacker position. The Eagles have explored the possibility of signing former All-Pro Shaquille Leonard, who visited the team earlier this week, although no official agreement has been reached.

Tight end Dallas Goedert, who fractured his forearm and underwent surgery, had initially shown signs of potentially returning for this game. However, he did not participate in Thursday's practice as he continues to recover. Goedert did engage in some light catching drills on a side field but was without a helmet. The Eagles had opted not to place him on the injured reserve list during the bye week, indicating their hope for a return within four weeks. If Goedert remains absent for the matchup against the 49ers, it would mark his third missed game.

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers, the team will have to adjust their game plan without the presence of these key players. Their injuries pose challenges that will require other players to step up and fill crucial roles. Eagles fans eagerly await updates regarding the availability of these players for the upcoming game on Sunday.