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The Philadelphia Eagles issued their third and final official injury report on Wednesday in advance of their Week 7 Thursday Night Football game against the New York Giants.
The Eagles ruled six players OUT: Miles Sanders, Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, Malik Jackson, Jack Driscoll, and K’Von Wallace.
Sanders not being able to play obviously hurts because he’s one of the Eagles’ best offensive weapons. The won’t have him to break off a really big run like he’s done each of the past two weeks. With Sanders out, Boston Scott and Corey Clement are expected to split most of the Eagles’ running back touches. The coaching staff could also look to get Jason Huntley involved.
Ertz’s absence leaves the Eagles with just Richard Rodgers and Hakeem Butler as the only two healthy tight ends on the 53-man roster. And Butler only started converting to tight end a few weeks ago. The Eagles could look to bring up Jason Croom or Caleb Wilson from the practice squad if they feel like they need another body. UPDATE: As I was writing this post, the Eagles cut Jamon Brown to call up Croom. Boom.
Jeffery missing his seventh game is frustrating in light of the Eagles not putting him on the PUP list. NFL Network indicates we could see Jeffery play against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 despite the fact the veteran wide receiver somehow picked up another injury while not even playing.
#Eagles have ruled out WR Alshon Jeffery and added a calf injury to his previous foot injury. I’m told it’s a minor strain but that’s the reason he’s out vs. the #Giants. They expect him to ramp up next week and play against the #Cowboys.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 21, 2020
Jackson being out means the Eagles are down to Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Hassan Ridgeway at defensive tackle. The team using a practice squad protection on T.Y. McGill indicates they’ll elevate him to the game day roster to be the fourth guy behind the main trio.
Driscoll being out is rushing Lane Johnson back into returning earlier than he ideally should. Johnson’s toughness is certainly commendable but one must wonder how long he’ll be able to last in the game before having to come out. If Johnson can’t remain at right tackle, the Eagles could be forced into playing Brett Toth there. The Eagles are also expected to elevate Price Tega Wanogho to the game day roster after using a practice squad protection on him.
Doug Pederson expects Lane Johnson to play tomorrow
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 21, 2020
I’m told it would be better for Lane’s ankle to get more rest but Lane is such a team guy, with the injury to Jack Driscoll, he wants to be out there to protect Carson Wentz. The linemen don’t like seeing him get hit like this pic.twitter.com/vES8ozaM4P
Wallace being out hurts the Eagles’ safety depth and special teams unit.
DeSean Jackson, Lane Johnson, Avonte Maddox, Duke Riley, and Marcus Epps are all set to return this week. They’re listed without a status on the final injury report.
Jackson’s return could mean less playing time for John Hightower. Then again, the Eagles might look to manage Jackson’s workload. And/or Jackson could easily get hurt again and become unavailable. Assuming he truly IS healthy, it’d be nice to see Carson Wentz and Jackson connect on some big plays down the field.
Johnson will start at right tackle. It’s just a matter of him being able to last through the game. TBD.
Maddox could return as the Eagles’ starting cornerback across from Darius Slay. Such a move would allow Jalen Mills to stay at safety.
Riley’s return could mean some decreased playing time for Alex Singleton.
Epps coming back helps with Wallace being out for this week’s game.
When it comes to long-term injury news, Doug Pederson did not offer timetables on Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor.
It would also appear that Matt Pryor hasn’t been cleared to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Thursday’s game. The Eagles could look to start Nate Herbig at right guard and Sua Opeta at left guard with Jamon Brown mightily struggling. UPDATE: Brown has been cut.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
OUT
OT Jack Driscoll (ankle)
TE Zach Ertz (ankle)
DT Malik Jackson (quadriceps)
WR Alshon Jeffery (foot)
RB Miles Sanders (knee)
S K’Von Wallace (shoulder)
...
RESERVE/INJURED
OT Andre Dillard
LB T.J. Edwards
S Rudy Ford
TE Dallas Goedert
TE Josh Perkins
WR Jalen Reagor
OG Isaac Seumalo
RESERVE/COVID-19
OG Matt Pryor
RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM
OG Brandon Brooks
DE Daeshon Hall
RESERVE/RETIRED
LB Jatavis Brown
RESERVE/OPT-OUT
WR Marquise Goodwin
NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
What you need to know about the Giants injury report is that Darius Slayton is set to play despite being less than 100%. He torched the Eagles for 204 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2019.
The Giants might activate Sterling Shepard from injured reserve. That’d be a boost for their receiving corps.
Giants nickel cornerback Darnay Holmes is expected to be a game-time decision.
OUT
WR C.J. Board (concussion)
DB Adrian Colbert (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
DB Darnay Holmes (neck)
...
RESERVE/INJURED
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Lorenzo Carter
WR Cody Core
LB Tae Crowder
TE Rysen John
DB Jaquarius Landrews
S Xavier McKinney
WR Sterling Shepard
WR David Sills V
CB Brandon Williams
LB Oshane Ximines
RESERVE/OPT-OUT
CB Sam Beal
WR Da’Mari Scott
OT Nate Solder