Eagles vs. Buccaneers Final Injury Report: Three Philadelphia players ruled out

The Philadelphia Eagles released their third and final official injury report on Friday in advance of their Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The following players have been ruled out for Sunday’s contest: Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery, and Darren Sproles.

Doug Pederson already announced Nick Foles as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback against the Bucs. There’s some reason to believe Wentz might be able to play in Week 3. Nate Sudfeld will be the backup to Foles in the meantime.

As for Jeffery, he’s been limited to individual work during practice. Here’s what Pederson said about his status on Friday:

“Yeah, he’s looked good. He’s looked really well, just the individual stuff that he’s doing. He’s not cleared for anything physically yet from a contact standpoint, but he’s working the individual drills and throwing on the side still. He’s doing some good things there. We’ll evaluate him again next week.”

It was originally reported that Jeffery might be able to return in Week 3. We’ll get a better idea if that’s still possible leading up to next Sunday’s game.

Sproles suffered a “slight” hamstring tweak during Wednesday’s practice, according to Pederson. Sproles did not participate in practice on Thursday or Friday.

With Sproles out, the Eagles will have three active running backs against Tampa Bay: Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and Wendell Smallwood. Clement and Smallwood could see the biggest boost in playing time compared to Week 1’s game. Pederson mentioned Clement and DeAndre Carter as punt returner options in place of Sproles.

One Eagles player has been ruled questionable for the Bucs game: Shelton Gibson.

Gibson returned to practice as a full participant on Friday after being limited on Wednesday and sitting out entirely on Thursday. Although he’s officially listed with a knee injury, Pederson said: “It’s not a knee. It’s a little higher than that. It’s a quad. But he should be fine.”

Gibson only played four offensive snaps last week but he did contribute heavily on special teams, including serving as the Eagles’ kick returner. Pederson mentioned Clement and Smallwood as kick returner options if Gibson can’t suit up.

The Eagles will be down to just four healthy receivers if Gibson doesn’t suit up: Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, DeAndre Carter, and Kamar Aiken. Look for Agholor and Wallace to get a lot of playing time on the outside with Carter filling in for the slot receiver role. Aiken, meanwhile, projects as more of a special teams guy. (Hopefully, at least, considering how little the 29-year-old showed offensively this summer.)

It helps Philadelphia that the Bucs project to be without both of their starting cornerbacks this week. Hopefully that allows Foles and the receivers to have a more successful connection than they did last week against Atlanta when they only combined for nine receptions and 43 yards.

One non-injury update: the Eagles are getting Nigel Bradham and Deiondre’ Hall back this week after both players served suspensions in Week 1. That’s a nice boost for Jim Schwartz’s defense.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

OUT

QB Carson Wentz (knee)

WR Alshon Jeffery (shoulder)

RB Darren Sproles (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE

WR Shelton Gibson (knee)

...

RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM

S Chris Maragos

RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL INJURY

DT Timmy Jernigan

RESERVE/INJURED

CB Elie Bouka

WR Mack Hollins

CB D.J. Killings

TE Richard Rodgers

TE Gannon Sinclair

OT Toby Weathersby

LB Paul Worrilow

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

The Buccaneers ruled two players out: starting cornerback Brent Grimes and first-round rookie Vita Vea.

With Grimes out and Vernon Hargreaves being placed on injured reserve earlier this week, Tampa Bay will be without both starting corners against Philly. Vea being out, meanwhile, hurts the Bucs’ interior defensive line depth.

DeSean Jackson is questionable to play after sitting out Wednesday and being limited on both Thursday and Friday. It’s still unclear if he’s passed through the league’s mandatory concussion protocol. He won’t be able to play until he does. I’m sure we’ll hear more updates on Jackson prior to Sunday’s kickoff. The Eagles’ secondary will have a tough task of containing him deep down the field if he does suit up.

Starting defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who was held without a single stat in Week 1 despite the fact Drew Brees attempted 45 passes, is also questionable. It sounds like there’s some optimism he’ll play. It’s fair to wonder just how effective he’ll be as he deals with a knee issue.

Starting offensive linemen Donovan Smith and Caleb Benenoch were limited participants in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but they were full go on Friday.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will obviously start at quarterback for the Bucs with Jameis Winston serving the second game of his three-game suspension. He’s backed up by 28-year-old Ryan Griffin, who has never attempted a regular season pass in his career.

OUT

CB Brent Grimes (groin)

DT Vita Vea (calf)

QUESTIONABLE

WR DeSean Jackson (concussion, shoulder)

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee)

...

RESERVE/SUSPENDED BY COMMISSIONER

QB Jameis Winston

RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL INJURY

LB Kendell Beckwith

RESERVE/INJURED

WR Sergio Bailey

CB Amari Coleman

DB Maurice Fleming

OT Cole Gardner

CB Vernon Hargreaves

DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu

DT Mitch Unrein