Eagles Injury Report: Fletcher Cox, Ronald Darby, and Nigel Bradham poised to start Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles announced their first official injury report on Wednesday in advance of their Week 1 game against Washington. It’s the first 2019 regular season injury report!

The great news is that Fletcher Cox (foot), DeSean Jackson (finger), Ronald Darby (knee), and Nigel Bradham (toe) aren’t even listed on the injury report. They were all full participants in Wednesday’s practice so they’re poised to start in Week 1.

The less great news is that four players were limited participants: Derek Barnett, Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, and Rudy Ford.

Barnett missed a lot of practice time and didn’t play in the preseason this summer as he recovered from the shoulder injury that ended his 2018 season early. That Barnett is still not 100% isn’t ideal; one would hope the team is just being extra cautious.

Brooks was seen taking first team right guard reps in group install and said he wants to play but it’s not perfectly clear he’ll be suiting up. If Brooks can’t go, it’ll be Halapoulivaati Vaitai starting in his place.

Kelce was just getting a veteran rest day so that’s nothing to worry about.

Ford is listed with an achilles injury. Howie Roseman talked up Ford’s special teams ability during his press conference over the weekend but also admitted they need to “get him right.” So we’ll see if Ford is healthy enough to suit up in Week 1.

Three players did not participate in practice: Kamu Grugier-Hill, Jordan Mailata, and Nate Sudfeld.

Grugier-Hill is still recovering from the MCL tear he suffered in early August. He might not be ready to play until late September or so. The good news is that he was seen doing some rehab work on a side field. With Grugier-Hill out, Bradham and Zach Brown figure to be the Eagles’ two primary linebackers. Nathan Gerry and/or L.J. Fort could get some playing time as a third linebacker in base defense.

Mailata has been dealing with a back injury since the final week of the preseason. Pederson described the Australian offensive tackle as “week-to-week” on Monday so it would appear he’s not super close to returning. That’s not a huge deal since Mailata was likely to be a healthy scratch on game day anyway.

Sudfeld is still recovering from the broken wrist he suffered during the Eagles’ first preseason game. He’s projected to be able to return at some point between Week 3 through Week 5. Even when Sudfeld is healthy, though, it’s Josh McCown who will likely be serving as Carson Wentz’s primary backup.

The Eagles will put out their second of three injury reports leading up to Sunday’s game on Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee)
OT Jordan Mailata (back)
QB Nate Sudfeld (wrist)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DE Derek Barnett (shoulder)
OG Brandon Brooks (achilles)
S Rudy Ford (achilles)
C Jason Kelce (not injury related - rest)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

Washington cornerback Fabian Moreau did not practice and Jay Gruden called him a “long shot” to play this week. A healthy Moreau would be Washington’s nickel corner but it looks like it’ll be seventh-round rookie Jimmy Moreland taking his place. Eagles might want to test him by targeting Nelson Agholor.

Colt McCoy is still recovering from the leg injury he suffered in last year’s first Eagles vs. Washington game. Case Keenum will be Washington’s starting quarterback with first-round rookie Dwayne Haskins backing him up.

Starting tight end Jordan Reed is dealing with yet another concussion. There seems to be optimism that he’ll play but it’s not certain.

Backup defensive linemen Caleb Brantley and Cassanova McKinzy were limited on Wednesday.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

QB Colt McCoy (fibula)
CB Fabian Moreau (ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DE Caleb Brantley (foot)
LB Cassanova McKinzy (concussion)
TE Jordan Reed (concussion)

FULL PARTICIPATION

LB Shaun Dion-Hamilton (chest)
WR Paul Richardson Jr. (quad)