Eagles vs. Falcons final injury report: Fletcher Cox will play, two players out, one doubtful

The Philadelphia Eagles announced their third and final official injury report on Friday in advance of their Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons.

To no surprise, the Eagles ruled two players OUT: starting linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and reserve offensive tackle Jordan Mailata. Neither player participated in practice this week.

Jim Schwartz used a lot of dime defense in Week 1 so the Eagles really only had Nigel Bradham in as their primary linebacker. Bradham played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps. The next closest linebacker was Zach Brown, who played 43%. Then Nathan Gerry at 3%. I imagine we’ll see a similar configuration with Grugier-Hill out this week. Kamu figures to cut into Brown’s playing time once he’s back healthy.

Mailata’s absence means the Eagles will probably go with their same setup as last week. Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, and Lane Johnson are the five starters. Andre Dillard and Halapoulivaati Vaitai are the top two backups. Dillard will see playing time as an extra blocker, especially now that the Eagles have only two tight ends on the 53-man roster. Brooks isn’t expected to be on a pitch count like he was in Week 1 so the Eagles will hope Vaitai doesn’t have to come into the game. Mailata might very well be inactive on game day even when he gets healthy.

Nate Sudfeld is doubtful for Sunday’s game after being limited in practice all week. He’s probably going to be the No. 3 quarterback behind Carson Wentz and Josh McCown even when he’s healthy.

Derek Barnett and Fletcher Cox were both full participants during Friday’s practice, which is good news. The Eagles will be counting on these guys to get after Matt Ryan on Sunday evening.

With the Eagles placing Malik Jackson on injured reserve earlier this week, Timmy Jernigan is slated to start next to Cox. Hassan Ridgeway and the newly signed Akeem Spence will also get playing time in the defensive tackle rotation.

Jalen Mills won’t be able to come off the PUP list until after Week 6.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

OUT

LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee)
OT Jordan Mailata (back)

DOUBTFUL

QB Nate Sudfeld (wrist)

...

RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM

CB Jalen Mills

RESERVE/INJURED

CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
DT Malik Jackson
DE Joe Ostman
DT Aziz Shittu

ATLANTA FALCONS INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

Atlanta will be starting journeyman Jamon Brown at right guard in place of injured 2019 first-round pick Chris Lindstrom. Brown was a healthy scratch last week. Cox should be able to take advantage of him.

The Falcons listed one player out: swing tackle Matt Gono. That hurts Atlanta’s offensive line depth.

Wide receiver Russell Gage — who saw two target before getting hurt in Week 1 — is questionable to play. He’s listed with concussion and hamstring injuries.

Former Eagles running back Kenjon Barner was a full participant on Friday after being limited on Thursday. He’s good to go.

OUT

OT Matt Gono (back)

QUESTIONABLE

WR Russell Gage (concussion, hamstring)

...

RESERVE/SUSPENDED

DT Ra’Shede Hageman

RESERVE/INJURED

QB Kurt Benkert
DT Michael Bennett
LB Richie Brown
CB Taveze Calhoun
TE Alex Gray
OG Chris Lindstrom
DE Steven Means
QB Matt Simms
S J.J. Wilcox