Josh Sweat to miss Eagles Wild Card game after ‘life-threatening situation’

Unfortunately, as we lead up to the most important Philadelphia Eagles game that we’ve seen in a couple of years, there’s bad news to report. According to multiple reports, most notably two from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Josh Sweat is out of the Birds’ Wild Card Weekend game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He’s been sidelined following an emergency procedure to correct a medical issue that’s been described as ‘life-threatening’.

Take a look:

The most important note here is that we all hope Josh Sweat is okay.

The Eagles selected Sweat with the 130th-overall selection, during Round 4, of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s appeared in 56 games with 16 starts. That includes his lone appearance in a playoff game following the 2019 regular season.

Over that time, he’s racked up 105 total tackles to go along with 17.5 sacks, 36 additional hits on the opposing signal-caller, seven pass breakups, and four forced fumbles. On September 18th of 2021, the 24-year-old was inked to a three-year contract extension worth over $40 million.

Ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Wild Card Game, their first playoff tilt versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since the world fell apart and Ronde Barber took an interception thrown by Donovan McNabb coast to coast in an NFC Championship Game to ensure that the final game played at Veterans Stadium would end with an Eagles loss, much of the narrative surrounding Sweat’s absence will, no doubt be about Philly’s pass rush sustaining a blow, perhaps the focus should be placed on something else.

This is another reminder that, although we all love the game, this is a reminder that football is a game, but it’s played by real people who deal with everyday struggles. Yes, Sweat’s presence on the field will be missed, but what’s most important is that he’s okay.

Number 94 will be on the minds and in the prayers of every Eagles fan as we prepare for what’s, again, Philadelphia’s biggest game in a long time.