Eagles Injury Report: Sidney Jones limited, six players miss practice

The Philadelphia Eagles issued their first official injury report on Wednesday in advance of their Week 5 game against the New York Jets.

Six players DID NOT PARTICIPATE in practice: Jason Kelce, DeSean Jackson, Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Timmy Jernigan, and Alex Ellis.

Kelce’s absence wasn’t injury related; he was excused for personal reasons (birth of his child?). Curiously enough, Halapoulivaati Vaitai was seen taking first team center reps with Kelce out. That’s a first.

There was some thought that Jackson could be back this week but it seems like Week 6 might be a more realistic return. The Eagles shouldn’t need Jackson to beat the Jets but they do need him back eventually.

Darby is expected to miss this week’s game. It’s possible he returns in Week 6 but that’s not a given.

Maddox is expected to miss multiple games as he recovers from the concussion and neck injuries he suffered in Week 4. The recently re-signed Orlando Scandrick could be starting at nickel cornerback in the meantime.

Jernigan is two weeks into his reported four-to-six week recovery timeline. So, he should be back in two-to-four weeks.

Ellis is a surprise inclusion on the injury report. He must’ve gotten banged up in the Packers game.

Two players were LIMITED PARTICIPANTS: Sidney Jones and Derek Barnett.

It seems like the Eagles are expecting Jones to play this week. If they weren’t, they probably wouldn’t be relying on just Rasul Douglas, Craig James, and Scandrick as their only three corners. If Jones fails to make good progress this week, the team could opt to promote one of D.J. White or Ryan Lewis from the practice squad.

Barnett tweaked his ankle in Week 3 but was fine enough to play on short rest in Week 4 and strip sack Aaron Rodgers. Now he’s listed with a groin injury. I’m guessing he should be good to go for Sunday.

Fletcher Cox, Alshon Jeffery, Dallas Goedert, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Corey Clement all avoided making the injury report after previously being listed in recent weeks. That’s good news for the Eagles.

Here’s an important jersey number update:

We’ll learn more abut the team’s injury situation when they put out their second injury report tomorrow afternoon.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

CB Ronald Darby (hamstring)
TE Alex Ellis (knee)
WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen)
DT Timmy Jernigan (foot)
C Jason Kelce (not injury related)
CB Avonte Maddox (concussion, neck)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DE Derek Barnett (groin)
CB Sidney Jones (hamstring)

NEW YORK JETS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

The Jets have a lengthy injury report despite the fact they’re coming off their Week 4 bye.

The big news is that starting quarterback Sam Darnold was limited in practice. The Jets seem to be holding out hope he can play. I have my doubts. Darnold, who was dealing with mono, wasn’t able to do any conditioning or throwing until this week and he still hasn’t been cleared for contact. What’s the sense in rushing him back when the Jets are 0-3 anyway? His long-term health is so much more important; there’s every reason for the Jets to play this safe.

Starting inside linebacker C.J. Mosley did not practice; he’s not expected to play this week. That’s a big absence for the Jets’ defense. Starting outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins did not practice. Same goes for starting left guard Kelechi Osemele and veteran wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Rookie defensive lineman Quinnen Williams is expected to return this week after missing two games with an ankle injury. He could provide some problems for the Eagles’ interior offensive line (see: Isaac Seumalo).

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

RB Trenton Cannon (hamstring, ankle)
LB Jordan Jenkins (calf)
LB C.J. Mosley (groin)
OG Kelechi Osemele (shoulder, knee)
WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

WR Josh Bellamy (shoulder)
QB Sam Darnold (illness)
DL Quinnen Williams (ankle)
TE Dan Brown (ankle)

FULL PARTICIPATION

CB Brian Poole (groin)
CB Darryl Roberts (ankle)
OG Brian Winters (shoulder)