Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham exited Sunday's win over the Buffalo Bills early with a hamstring injury.
Cunningham had a team-leading 10 tackles (seven solo), before heading to the locker room during the third quarter.
Backup Christian Ellis filled his void alongside Nicholas Morrow and Haason Reddick.
As the Eagles prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about Cunningham's availability.
While Sirianni couldn't provide an update on Cunningham's hamstring injury, he remained optimistic per usual.
"First let me say [LB] Zach [Cunningham] is one of the most physical football players I’ve been around," Sirianni said during Monday's press conference. "You really notice his physicality when he’s out there. He’s tough. Again, haven’t seen him today. Haven’t talked to our trainers quite yet, trainers and our doctors — but I know that [LB] Zach [Cunningham] will do everything he can in his power to play.
"That’s just the way he’s been since he’s been here as far as his physicality and toughness. So obviously he’s important to our defense, important to our team, and I’m hoping that he’s ready to go."
There have been rumblings the past few days that the Eagles are interested in pursuing free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard for cushion.
However, Sirianni made it clear that he and the rest of the staff have confidence in their backup linebackers, specifically Christian Ellis, to step up if Cunningham is unavailable in Week 13.
"I think we have good options. I think you saw that yesterday with [LB] Christian Elliss came in and had a couple really nice plays," Sirianni added. "[LB] Ben [VanSumeren] has been coming on. So, we feel good. Feel about our guys on practice squad and feel like we have some good options available to us."
Ellis played 27 defensive snaps in place of Cunningham on Sunday and logged seven tackles.
Sirianni added that they plan to take Cunningham's injury "day by day" this week, which is also the same approach that they're taking with starting right tackle Lane Johnson's groin injury.
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