Super Bowl Injury Report: Updates on Tim Jernigan, Rob Gronkowski, more

The Philadelphia Eagles released their second official injury report on Thursday in advance of their Super Bowl LII game against the New England Patriots.

The most noteworthy item is that starting defensive tackle Tim Jernigan missed practice due to illness yet again. Jernigan hasn’t practiced since last Thursday.

The thinking here is that the Eagles could just be doing everything to make sure Jernigan is ready to play while also keeping him away from the team to prevent the illness from spreading.

Speaking of spreading, Ronald Darby missed Monday’s media availability due to illness. He was a full participant in practice, though. Mychal Kendricks also said he’s getting over a cold. Kenjon Barner missed a practice last week due to illness.

It’s no surprise that the New England Patriots, who have a history of cheating, have resorted to biological warfare. Hopefully everyone will be feeling good enough to play on Sunday.

If Jernigan can’t play, it’ll be Beau Allen who starts next to Fletcher Cox. Destiny Vaeao would also see some increased playing time as the No. 3 defensive tackle.

In other injury news, the following players were full go for the second day in a row: Jay Ajayi, Fletcher Cox, Dannell Ellerbe. Good to see.

UPDATE: Here’s some more info on the Eagles’ Thursday practice via pool reporter Kimberly A. Martin.

This time there were no practice stoppages for the Philadelphia Eagles, just quick-tempo plays and plenty of players flying around.

Their second practice of Super Bowl week was more of “a situational day” that focused primarily on short-yardage, goal-line and third-down drills over an afternoon period that lasted almost one hour and 45 minutes.

Running back Jay Ajayi was a full practice participant Thursday, but was purposely limited in some team drills to give his lower body a rest. With Ajayi hampered by a sore ankle of late, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said the rest was just precautionary, adding: “He’ll be fine for the game.”

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf), cornerback Ronald Darby (illness) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) all practiced fully. However, starting defensive tackle Tim Jernigan (illness) again was absent. As of now, the plan is to keep him as hydrated as possible, but the expectation is that Jernigan will play Sunday against the Patriots, even if he’s unable to practice all week.

Sounds like Jernigan will play, which is good.

The pool report also indicated Nick Foles looked sharp again. Encouraging.

The coach said his message during Wednesday’s team meeting centered on eliminating mistakes, especially “pre-snap stuff,” and staying focused. And the Eagles heeded his instruction. For the second straight day, quarterback Nick Foles was in a groove, firing off intermediate passes and deep balls downfield with confidence and ease. “Nick was really sharp again. Real sharp,” the coach said. “He was accurate with his passes, smart in the run game. And (backup) Nate (Sudfeld) just seems to sort of always impress. Every day he comes out here, he’s ready to work. I know it’s service team stuff, but he makes our defense work.”

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

DT Timmy Jernigan (illness)

FULL PARTICIPATION

RB Jay Ajayi (ankle)

DT Fletcher Cox (calf)

CB Ronald Darby (illness)

LB Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

The big news for the Patriots is that star tight end Rob Gronkowski was officially cleared from his concussion, as expected.

The other three Patriots players who were limited on Wednesday were all full participants on Thursday. New England’s 53-man roster figures to be at full strength for Sunday’s big game.

FULL PARTICIPATION

TE Rob Gronkowski (concussion)

CB Malcolm Butler (illness)

DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (concussion)

S Brandon King (knee)