Avonte Maddox, Landon Dickerson, Nicholas Morrow return

The Eagles will have a number of key players back on the field Sunday against the Cardinals.

Nickel corner Avonte Maddox (chest), left guard Landon Dickerson (thumb) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) were all left out of action and are expected to play.

Below is the eagles' status report for Sunday:

Outside: Darius Slay (knee)

Doubtful: Zach Cunningham (knee), Albert Okwuegbunam (hamstring)

Maddox, 27, has not played since tearing his sternum in Week 2. The Eagles activated his practice window last week but elected to hold him out of the Giants game. Maddox was a full participant in training again this week.

Getting Maddox back should be a big boost for a secondary that has already rotated players at the nickel cornerback position since the injury. The Eagles have used Mario Goodrich, Josiah Scott, Eli Ricks, Sidney Brown, James Bradberry and Bradley Roby at the position this year.

The Eagles will need to create a roster spot for Maddox. Okwuegbunam's injury may be a hint at how to create one.

Dickerson, 25, missed last week's game after undergoing surgery on his thumb. Veteran Sua Opeta filled in at left guard. But Dickerson was a full participant all week in practice with a sprain on his left thumb. We'll have to see how that affects him Sunday afternoon.

Last week's game was the only game Dickerson has missed in the past two seasons. For a player who had major injury concerns coming out of Alabama, Dickerson has been extremely solid in his three-year NFL career.

At linebacker against the Giants, the Eagles were forced to start Shaq Leonard and Ben Van Someren, while Nolan Smith also saw his first snaps at linebacker off the ball. That was Leonard's first start with the Eagles and Vansomeren's first defensive snaps in the NFL.

Morrow was questionable last week entering the Giants game. He tested the injury during pre-match warmups but was seen whimpering and ended up inactive.

It's no surprise that Sly is out. The veteran is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss his third straight game. The Eagles did not place Slay on IR and expect him to return for the playoffs. In his absence, juniors Kelly Ringo and Eli Ricks have done a great job.