Eagles Injury Report: Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles miss practice for second day in a row

The Philadelphia Eagles released their second official injury report on Thursday in advance of their Week 3 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Today’s injury report is nearly identical to Wednesday’s version. The only difference is that backup linebackers/special teams contributors D.J. Alexander and Nathan Gerry returned to practice as full participants. They should be able to play on Sunday.

Much more significantly, it’s looking like the Eagles will be without both Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles this weekend. Neither player practiced for the second day in a row. With those guys out, Corey Clement figures to take the bulk of Philadelphia’s running back touches. The ever unimpressive Wendell Smallwood will also be involved and we may very well see Josh Adams get some playing time as well.

Jason Peters and Alshon Jeffery were limited for the second day in a row. Doug Pederson confidently said Peters will start at left tackle on Sunday. Jeffery, meanwhile, seems to be at least a week or two away. The Eagles will likely enter this game with Nelson Agholor, Kamar Aiken, Shelton Gibson, and Jordan Matthews as their active wide receivers.

Carson Wentz was a full participant in practice again and remains on track to start Sunday.

The Eagles and Colts will release their third and final injury report on Friday.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

RB Jay Ajayi (back)
RB Darren Sproles (back)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

OT Jason Peters (quad)
WR Alshon Jeffery (shoulder)

FULL PARTICIPATION

QB Carson Wentz (knee)
LB D.J. Alexander (knee)
LB Nathan Gerry (groin)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

The Eagles aren’t the only ones dealing with injury issues. The Colts were still missing five starters (Denico Autry, Anthony Castonzo, Jack Doyle, T.Y. Hilton, Marlon Mack) during Thursday’s practice. Backup running back Christine Michael was added to Thursday’s report with an illness.

The positive news for the Colts is that starting safety Clayton Geathers returned to practice as a full participant.

Here’s Stampede Blue’s insight on the Colts’ injury situation.

Hilton told Good Morning Football that his injury was not a big deal saying: “I should be fine. Nothing to worry about.” If Hilton says he is good, it is usually safe to believe him. He rarely misses time and I’d expect him to play, although him missing time does make me a bit uncomfortable.

More concerning however, is the potential loss of someone like Jack Doyle. While the tight end group is a strength, this is the toughest defensive line the Colts have faced yet, and Doyle played a big role in the blocking help that made last week’s victory possible. His loss in both blocking and the passing game are tough to replace.

Anthony Castonzo also appears to be likely to miss more time, having aggravated his hamstring injury. Based on the way he was moving against Washington, Marlon Mack might have done the same. Neither of these guys are a huge concern, Castonzo because it is not entirely a surprise and the offensive line has done really well against quality defenses so far. Mack because Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines have been valuable contributors to this point already.

Regardless, the Colts facing perhaps the toughest opponent on their schedule without a bunch of their key players is definitely less than ideal.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

DT Denico Autry (ankle)
OT Anthony Castonzo (hamstring)
TE Jack Doyle (hip)
WR T.Y. Hilton (quad)
RB Marlon Mack (foot, hamstring)
DT Hassan Ridgeway (calf)
CB Quincy Wilson (concussion)
RB Christine Michael (illness)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

OT Denzelle Good (knee, wrist)

FULL PARTICIPATION

S Clayton Geathers (knee, elbow)
CB Chris Milton (concussion)