Cedric Thornton Injury: Updates on Eagles DE's Hand and Return

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Cedric Thornton missed two consecutive games after he suffered a broken hand in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Thornton's Playing Status for Week 5

Sunday, Oct. 11

Eagles Insider listed Thornton as active against the New Orleans Saints.

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Latest on Thornton's Practice Status Ahead of Week 5

Friday, Oct. 9

The Eagles announced Thornton was a full participant in practice for the third consecutive day.

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Thornton Comments on Broken Hand

Tuesday, Sept. 22

“I played through the game,” Thornton said, via Phil Sheridan of ESPN. “It hurts. It’s broken, so it hurts. I broke my left hand in high school, so I knew right away that it was broken.”

Laura Goldman first reported the injury and also posted a photo in which a splint is visible on Thornton's right hand:

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#Eagles .@MrICanDueDat broke his 4th metatarsal in his right hand Will be out 2 weeks #fashiontouchdown pic.twitter.com/YhPytRV4rG

— Laura Goldman (@laurasgoldman) September 21, 2015"

According to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advance Media, the 27-year-old had X-rays on his hand after the defeat to the Cowboys, which revealed the extent of the damage.

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Thornton's Impact on Eagles Defense

Given the way the offense has played, the Eagles can ill afford to lose any players on the defensive side of the ball. Philadelphia's defense might have to work overtime in order to keep the team in games, as was the case against the Cowboys.

Through the first two weeks, Thornton has five total tackles and one sack. Pro Football Focus rates him as the Eagles' second-best run defender.