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The Philadelphia Eagles were already plenty injured heading into their Week 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys but the team got even more banged up on Sunday. Here’s a look at the latest news and updates ahead of the Eagles’ Week 17 game against the New York Giants.
ZACH ERTZ
Ertz had to visit the locker room after taking a big hit from the Cowboys’ defense. He was originally ruled questionable to return with a rib injury before coming back in the game. Ertz ended up playing 82% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports Ertz has a “fractured rib.”
You watch that hard shot and you have to think: what actually happened to Zach Ertz to wince like that, have to go to the locker room, come back? Yes, it is in fact a fractured rib. Still getting more tests today just to see kind of what is there and what is his status going to be for Sunday. And figure this, Andrew, if he played through this yesterday, there is at least a fighting chance that Zach Ertz is back out on the field somehow, someway next week for the Eagles when they’ve absolutely got to have it.
Les Bowen suggests Ertz’s rib break is nondisplaced, meaning Ertz could play against the Giants.
The fact that he went to the locker room to be examined and then returned to the game would seem to indicate a nondisplaced fracture. Or so I am told.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) December 23, 2019
The guess here is Ertz will tough it out since it’s a potential elimination game for the Eagles. If Ertz can’t play, the Eagles will be down to just Dallas Goedert and Joshua Perkins at tight end. The team also has Alex Ellis on the practice squad.
RONALD DARBY
Darby originally suffered a hip flexor during the Eagles’ Friday practice leading up to their Week 15 game. He missed playing time against Washington and then had to leave early against the Cowboys.
Doug Pederson said the following about Darby’s status:
Darby is the one that’s going to probably -- he’s a little more significant and probably going to miss some time. Darby’s is a little bit more serious and his will -- he’s probably going to miss some time.
Rapoport shared this:
#Eagles CB Ronald Darby is dealing with a strain in his hip and is expected to miss a couple weeks, source said. Darby does not need surgery and his recovery is measured in weeks, not months.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019
Pederson said Douglas — not Sidney Jones — will start in Darby’s absence. Jones has made two big plays in the last three weeks despite not playing much.
Poll
Who should the Eagles start in place of an injured Ronald Darby?
This poll is closed
-
52%
Rasul Douglas
(1889 votes) -
47%
Sidney Jones
(1739 votes)
LANE JOHNSON
Johnson hasn’t played since getting hurt in Week 14.
Pederson on Johnson’s status:
Lane is improving. He’s more day-to-day. We’ll see. We have to get him on land, we have to get him to run and see where he’s at with the ankle but he’s improving.
The guess here is that Johnson misses at one more game before trying to play in the playoffs ... if the Eagles can beat the Giants. Halapoulivaati Vaitai has been solid in relief of Johnson so the return doesn’t need to be forced.
JJ ARCEGA-WHITESIDE
JJAW popped up on last week’s injury report with a foot issue but he still started in Week 16. He’s expected to be able to play in Week 17 despite missing snaps in the Cowboys game .
From Pederson:
J.J., actually, I’m waiting on. He’s going to have another test result tomorrow but should be fine. Nothing too serious there, I would expect.
JJAW, Greg Ward, and Robert Davis are the only wide receivers on the Eagles’ roster.
JALEN MILLS
Mills was carted off with an ankle injury against the Cowboys before returning to play 77% of the team’s defensive snaps.
Mills, his ankle, and tough guy, tough kid. Ended up finishing the game obviously, but he’s going to be day-to-day. Right now, he’s hurting today but we’ll see as the week goes on and progress him.
DESEAN JACKSON
Reports indicate Jackson will be back on the field if the Eagles can advance to the divisional round in the playoffs. That’d be a big deal.
NELSON AGHOLOR
Agholor hasn’t played since Week 13 due to an ankle injury. His knee was reportedly looking pretty swollen leading up to the Cowboys game. Going to guess he’s out again this week.
JORDAN HOWARD
Howard hasn’t played since Week 9. Until there’s an indication that he’s been cleared for contact, the assumption should be that he’s out.
UPDATE: Howard is set to return and the Eagles are waiving Jay Ajayi.
The Eagles will issue their first official Week 17 injury report on Wednesday. Doug Pederson is next scheduled for media availability on Thursday morning.