Eagles CB Ronald Darby has dislocated ankle; Philadelphia fearful

ByTim McManus ESPN logo
Sunday, September 10, 2017

LANDOVER, MD -- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darbywill undergo an MRI on Monday to determine whether he will require surgery on his dislocated ankle, sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

If Darby needs surgery, Philadelphia fears he will be lost for the season. If doctors determine that surgery is not necessary, there is some hope that Darby would miss just half the season.

Darby was carted off the field in the second quarter of the Eagles' 30-17 win against the Washington Redskinsand did not return.

Darby's ankle bent awkwardly as he planted while in coverage. He immediately went down in pain. Teammates, including fellow corner Sidney Jones and running back LeGarrette Blount, offered words of encouragement as he was placed on the cart with an air cast on his lower leg.

The Eagles acquired Darby from the Buffalo Bills in August in exchange for receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round pick.

A 2015 second-round pick out of Florida State, Darby finished second in voting for defensive rookie of the year in 2015 before taking a bit of a step back last season. Asked what he liked about Darby, executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman pointed to his "rare speed" -- he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine -- as well as his production on the ball. He has only two career interceptions but has racked up 33 pass breakups in 29 games.

The Eagles were very thin at the corner position prior to the trade, and they might be back to where they started, depending on the severity of the injury.