Eagles Injury Report: Timmy Jernigan returns to practice while 3 players are still out

The Philadelphia Eagles released their second official injury report on Thursday in advance of their Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The good news is that starting defensive tackle Tim Jernigan is back. He was a full participant on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday.

The bad news is that the Eagles are still missing three players: starting defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, starting running back Wendell Smallwood, and starting cornerback Ronald Darby. It’s looking less and less likely these players will suit up on Sunday.

With Cox potentially out, it’ll be Beau Allen starting in his place once again. Allen played well while starting in Week 4 but he doesn’t offer the kind of impact that Cox does.

Smallwood being out would mean the Eagles are down to three healthy running backs: LeGarrette Blount, Corey Clement, and Kenjon Barner. Smallwood played the most snaps (44%) of any Eagles running back in Week 4 so his absence opens up significant playing time for his replacements.

Darby being out means the Eagles will likely start Jalen Mills and Rasul Douglas at outside cornerback. That is, unless the Eagles opt to put Jaylen Watkins back at corner over Douglas, which wouldn’t be preferable. Watkins and Corey Graham were full participants in practice on again on Thursday.

Destiny Vaeao was limited in practice for the second day in a row. If he can’t play, Elijah Qualls and Justin Hamilton will be the backups to Jernigan and Allen at defensive tackle. Maybe Vaeao will be ready to return for Week 6 or 7.

Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report (Thursday)

Did Not Participate

CB Ronald Darby (ankle)

DT Fletcher Cox (calf)

RB Wendell Smallwood (knee)

Limited Participation

DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist)

Full Participation

DT Tim Jernigan (heel)

LB Jordan Hicks (ankle)

S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)

S Corey Graham (hamstring)

S Jaylen Watkins (hamstring)

Arizona Cardinals Injury Report (Thursday)

Cardinals 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries (starting left tackle) and 2016 first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche (defensive lineman) both did not practice again on Thursday.

Did Not Participate

OT D.J. Humphries (knee)

DL Robert Nkemdiche (calf)

Limited Participation

OG Alex Boone (chest)

WR John Brown (quad)

ILB Josh Bynes (groin)

ILB Karlos Dansby (knee)

DL Josh Mauro (calf)

WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring/tooth)