Brandon Boykin out for Eagles vs. Steelers

The Philadelphia Eagles will be without a number of players heading into their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

The following Eagles players have been ruled out and will not play against the Steelers:

Cornerback Brandon Boykin (hamstring)

Cornerback Cary Williams (hamstring)

Wide receiver Brad Smith (groin)

Wide receiver Josh Huff (shoulder)

Running back Chris Polk (hamstring)

Inside linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring)

Center Julian Vandervelde (back)

There's no indication that these injuries are serious but they're obviously serious enough to prevent these players from playing.

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It's a bit of a surprise to see Boykin ruled out. There wasn't any indication he missed time in practice this week. According to Tim McManus of Birds 24/7, Boykin was seen pointing at his leg during some warmup drills on Thursday night.

Update: Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly reports a hamstring injury is keeping Boykin out. Also, apparently starting cornerback Cary Williams (hamstring) is out as well.

All of the other inactives are expected because they're players who haven't practiced this week. Polk said he expects to return to practice on Saturday, August 23rd.

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Notable active players:

Starting wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper are back after sitting out last week. Cornerback Nolan Carroll II, who has looked great in training camp, is active for the first time this preseason.

It appears rookie cornerback Jaylen Watkins has returned from a hamstring injury.

The two players the Eagles acquired in trades this week are active. Running back Kenjon Barner is wearing #41 and kicker Cody Parkey is wearing #7. (Seeing Parkey in Michael Vick's old number is as weird as you would imagine.)

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Steelers inactives: WR Lance Moore, S Will Allen, CB Devin Smith, CB Shaquille Richardson, RB Tauren Poole, FB Will Johnson, LB Jordan Zumwalt, LS Greg Warren, C/G Cody Wallace, TE Eric Waters.