Eagles Injury Updates: Two players return to practice ahead of Redskins game

The Philadelphia Eagles don’t have to release an official injury report until Thurday this week since they play the Washington Redskins on Monday night. With that said, a few injury updates emerged following the Eagles’ light practice session on Tuesday.

Lane Johnson

Eagles starting right tackle Lane Johnson practiced on Tuesday, which indicates he passed through the NFL’s mandatory concussion protocol. The Eagles were without Johnson in Week 6 against the Panthers. Now Halapoulivaati Vaitai will be headed back to the bench with Johnson set to return. Great news for Philly.

Wendell Smallwood

Smallwood has been out ever since suffering a knee injury in Week 4. On Tuesday, however, he returned to practice and told reporters he expects to play against Washington. Smallwood ranks second among Eagles running backs in attempts (29) and yards (113) this season. He also still ranks first in snaps played (138) despite missing two games.

Smallwood isn’t a dynamic rushing talent but he’s easily the team’s best receiving back. He’s also shown improvement in pass protection. Getting him back is good for the Eagles, especially since it’ll mean less offensive snaps for Kenjon Barner.

Ronald Darby

As of last Friday, Doug Pederson said Darby wouldn’t be practicing this week. He did say Darby is “close” to returning, though.

Sidney Jones

Jones did not practice, as expected. He’s still on the non-football injury list. Reports indicate he’s “not close” to practicing.

Non-injury: Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long

Both Jenkins and Long were excused from practice on Tuesday as they attended NFL meetings in New York to discuss social issues. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was also among those in attendance.

Washington is dealing with some significant injury issues this week.

Josh Norman

After suffering a rib fracture and a lung puncture on Oct. 2, Norman said he’d be out for four weeks. That timeline suggests he shouldn’t be able to play against the Eagles. It sounds like Washington isn’t ready to rule him out just yet, however.

Norman played well against Alshon Jeffery and the Eagles in Week 1. It’d be a big loss for Washington if he misses this game.

Bashaud Breeland

Breeland suffered a knee injury in Washington’s game against the 49ers but head coach Jay Gruden isn’t ready to rule him out either.

Cornerback Bashaud Breeland (knee sprain) could be limited some this week, too, but Gruden believes there's a chance he could still play against the Eagles.

Washington being without both of their starting corners against the Eagles would obviously be a big concern for them.

Jonathan Allen

Allen has played well for Washington since they selected him with the No. 17 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks after suffering a foot injury (Lisfranc sprain). Allen had four tackles and one quarterback hit in the first Eagles-Washington game this year.

Dustin Hopkins

Washington’s kicker will reportedly miss this week’s game due to a partially torn hip muscle. Washington will be forced to sign a new kicker. Keep an eye on how this could impact the special teams battle on Monday night.

Rob Kelley

One of Washington’s running backs is expected to return to practice this week.

Deshazor Everett

Washington’s starting safety, AKA the dude who landed a cheap shot on Darren Sproles last season, is also expected to return to practice.