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Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks is not expected to play this week when the team plays the New Orleans Saints. Multiple reports indicate Kendricks aggravated the hamstring injury he originally suffered in Week 2:
I'm hearing there's good chance Byron Maxwell (quad), Lane Johnson (knee) will play Sunday vs. Saints. No Kendricks (hammy) or Bair (groin).
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 5, 2015
Injuries 4 #Eagles. CB Maxwell should play. DT Brandon Bair groin sprain may miss 2 wks. LB M.Kendricks likely out this wk. @FOX29philly
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) October 6, 2015
#Eagles LB Mychal Kendricks' hamstring injury is back to where it was two weeks ago. Will be a stretch to be ready for Sunday, source said.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 6, 2015
Kendricks missed Philadelphia's Week 3 game before returning in Week 4. The starting inside linebacker only played a few snaps against Washington, however, before having to leave the game early.
With Kendricks out, the Eagles will continue to have to rely on rookie Jordan Hicks and veteran DeMeco Ryans. Hicks has been playing very well, and Ryans hasn't looked as much of a liability lately, so the absence of Kendricks isn't a devastating loss. Still, it's not ideal for the team.
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As noted in the tweets above, the Eagles will also be without defensive end Brandon Bair for some time. This is bad news for a team that is short on healthy defensive ends. Bair was only playing due to injuries to starter Cedric Thornton and top backup Taylor Hart. It's possible either Thornton and/or Hart will be able to play soon, but they'll need to make it through practice this week.