Eagles Injury Report: Rodney McLeod misses practice, DeSean Jackson returns limited

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

As you’ve come to expect, there are a lot of different names on it.

Five players DID NOT PARTICIPATE in practice: Rodney McLeod, Lane Johnson, Avonte Maddox, T.J. Edwards, and Rudy Ford.

McLeod missing practice with a hamstring issue is concerning. The Eagles are looking thin at safety with Jalen Mills temporarily (?) having to move back to cornerback and Will Parks still not ready to return from injured reserve. In addition, Ford is set to miss this week’s game and Marcus Epps was limited in Wednesday’s practice. That leaves ... just K’Von Wallace as the only healthy safety. McLeod’s injury helps to explain why the Eagles used practice squad protections on both Grayland Arnold and Elijah Riley this week. At least one, if not both, might be elevated to the roster for Sunday’s game.

Johnson is dealing with a nagging ankle issue after having surgery in August. He was in and out of the lineup in Week 4. That scenario might continue throughout the season. For now, the Eagles are just trying to get him to game day.

Maddox seems bound to miss another game after sitting out in Week 4. It could be Mills who starts at corner across from Darius Slay once again. Jim Schwartz didn’t really rule out Mills sticking at corner even when Maddox gets healthy. Something to watch.

Doug Pederson’s comments indicated Edwards will at least miss this week’s game. His absence could lead to more playing time for Alex Singleton, who made a big impact against the San Francisco 49ers. Losing Edwards also hurts the Eagles’ special teams unit.

And speaking of special teams, it’s unfortunate the Eagles will be without Ford. They could’ve used him for both ST and safety depth.

Six players were LIMITED PARTICIPANTS in practice: Fletcher Cox, DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Nate Herbig, Jason Kelce, and Marcus Epps.

Cox was given some rest after dealing with some injury issues that caused him to miss some time in Week 4.

Jackson returned to practice in a limited capacity after missing all of last week. It’s not perfectly clear if he’ll be ready to play against the Steelers. Even if he is, how long can the Eagles count on having him before the 33-year-old is hurt again?

Is this the week that Jeffery will finally make his 2020 season debut? Pederson wouldn’t say for sure. It’s possible but it’s not a given just yet.

Herbig being limited isn’t good when the Eagles are already so banged up on the offensive line. I’d guess he’ll be able to play but it’s not good to see he’s less than 100%.

Kelce is as tough as they come; he’s not going to miss a game unless he’s dead. Clearly dealing with something though.

Epps being injured makes the Eagles even thinner at safety and also hurts special teams. Not ideal.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside was a FULL PARTICIPANT in practice.

JJAW missed two practices last week before being limited on Friday. He’s back in full now to help save the Eagles’ season. Jokes aside, his return could mean less playing time for Travis Fulgham. It’ll be interesting to see how the Eagles handle JJAW’s role.

The Eagles activated 21-day practice windows for Craig James and Vinny Curry. They’ll need be brought back to the roster before they can play.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring)
S Rudy Ford (hamstring)
OT Lane Johnson (ankle)
CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)
S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DT Fletcher Cox (restl)
S Marcus Epps (ribs)
OG Nate Herbig (groin)
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring)
WR Alshon Jeffery (foot)
C Jason Kelce (hip)

FULL PARTICIPATION

WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)

Based on what our enemies over at Behind The Steel Curtain have to say, it sounds like fullback Derek Watt and backup linebacker Marcus Allen could be in danger of missing this week’s game. Big whoop.

The Steelers have previously held receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster out on Wednesday before playing them on Sunday. So, they should be ready against the Eagles.

Starting cornerback Joe Haden missed practice with an illness but could be back as soon as Thursday.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

LB Marcus Allen (foot)
CB Joe Haden (illness)
WR Diontae Johnson (toe)
C Maurkice Pouncey (not injury related)
QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related)
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
DE Stephon Tuitt (not injury related)
FB Derek Watt (hamstring)