Ex-Pitt DB Avonte Maddox 'going well' after scary collision in Eagles' win at Green Bay

Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox was diagnosed with a concussion and neck injury, the team announced Friday.

The former Pitt defensive back is back home and undergoing further testing after being carried off the field on a stretcher against Green Bay on Thursday night.

Packers running back Jamaal Williams also suffered a scary injury during the game and was stretchered off.

Both players had feeling and movement in their extremities after being taken off the field. Around 10 a.m. Friday morning, Maddox tweeted, “Everything is going well. Appreciate the prayers and well wishes. God is good.”

The Eagles said Maddox was cleared to travel with the team and coach Doug Pederson said Maddox “was in good spirits” on the team flight home.

Maddox was carted off late in the fourth quarter against the Packers on Thursday night after a helmet-to-helmet collision with teammate Andrew Sendejo. He was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons.

“He was coherent coming off the field and should be fine,” Pederson said after the game.

Maddox’s teammates said he seemed OK as he was placed on the stretcher.

“He was good, he was moving and stuff. He was joking around,” running back Miles Sanders (Woodland Hills/Penn State) said after the Eagles’ 34-27 victory. “I think they were just being real cautious. I’m pretty sure he should be OK, though.”

“You obviously want to see that when a play like this arises,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “Praying for him now, even though he did give us some good signs, laughing, thumbs up and was talking. So just wishing the best for him. He’s a good player for us, and hopefully he makes a speedy recovery.”

Williams was injured in the first quarter when he took a late helmet-to-helmet hit from Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett, who was penalized. Williams gave a thumbs up on his way off the field.

Barnett, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, will not be suspended for the hit.

After falling behind 10-0, the Eagles regrouped and held off Green Bay as Nigel Bradham sealed it by catching a deflection for an interception in the end zone in the final seconds.

The interception occurred two plays after Maddox went down.

“I think the one thing that helped me (focus), you know, Avonte was moving around, he was OK, at least, from that standpoint,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “So that eased some of the tension.”

Cornerback Craig James, promoted from the practice squad Tuesday, replaced Maddox and broke up the pass that Bradham caught for the winning interception.