Darren Sproles, who is still going through the NFL’s concussion protocol, is out for Sunday’s game against the Ravens, while Allen Barbre, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, is questionable for this weekend’s game.
Doug Pederson spoke Friday morning and touched on those two players, as well as a few others. Here are some highlights from his presser:
Doug Pederson: Allen Barbre doing well with hamstring and will be questionable. Darren Sproles and Big V will be out for Sunday's game.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 16, 2016
If Barbre can't play this weekend, Isaac Seumalo would start at right tackle. #Eagles
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroCSN) December 16, 2016
It sounds like Pederson is at least optimistic that Barbre has a chance to play on Sunday, but this is definitely going to be something we go into Sunday not knowing. Seumalo played some tackle in college, but before this week he hadn’t practiced at tackle with the Eagles’ offensive line since the summer.
With Smallwood on IR and Sproles out, Byron Marshall will have a role Sunday. Mathews will be the main RB
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) December 16, 2016
This makes sense. It’s a bummer we won’t get to see more of Smallwood before the year’s out, but at least Marshall gets a look for other teams heading into next season, and Mathews gets to ride out the last three games of his Philadelphia career as the bell cow.
Pederson: Kenjon Barner will return punts.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 16, 2016
This should placate the people who believe Kenjon Barner is the NFL’s next great weapon. He’ll get a few chances to make plays. If he breaks one, yay! If not, no one cares.
Doug Pederson said it’s a “no-brainer” for the Eagles to plug Lane Johnson back in at RT for Week 16, especially given injury situation.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) December 16, 2016
I thought it was a no-brainer even before the injuries started piling up. Johnson’s talent level at the position, compared with everyone else on the roster, more than negates any kind of game-speed slowness he might experience after missing 10 games. It’s not like he’s a rookie. He’s been excelling at right tackle in the NFL for years. Put him in.
Pederson said there was no thought given to sitting Carson Wentz given the state of the offensive line. Would send the wrong message.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 16, 2016
I agree with this stance. Dave and I were talking about it last night: taking Wentz out is wrong. However, calling a game plan that makes his safety priority No. 1 is not. There should be a lot of runs, even if the run game isn’t working. Why? Because wins and losses don’t matter at this point in the season. Sure, if it’s a close game in the fourth quarter, you go out and try to win it. But you absolutely should not put your franchise rookie quarterback in harm’s way for a sixth win in a lost season.