Eagles Injury Report: Rodney McLeod expects to play, Alshon Jeffery misses practice

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

Two players DID NOT PARTICIPATE in practice: Alshon Jeffery and Avonte Maddox.

Jeffery missed practice due to illness. There’s been some thought he might be able to return this week but I wonder if the Eagles really feel comfortable playing him without a full week of practice as he returns from his foot injury. He was limited on Wednesday. It’ll be interesting to see how the team lists his status on Friday’s final injury report.

Maddox is set to miss his second straight game. Jalen Mills is bound to start at cornerback again.

Three players were LIMITED PARTICIPANTS in practice: Rodney McLeod, DeSean Jackson, and Lane Johnson.

McLeod informed reporters he plans to play on Sunday. That’s good news but it’s still not ideal that he’s less than 100%.

Jackson was limited for the second day in a row. Your guess is as good as mine if he’ll play. And even if he does suit up, one can only wonder how long he’ll last into the game.

Johnson should be able to dress for Sunday’s game. It’s just a matter of him potentially missing snaps due to his nagging ankle issue.

Five players were listed as FULL PARTICIPANTS in practice: Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce, Nate Herbig, Marcus Epps, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.

Good to see that key linemen like Cox, Kelce, and Herbig will be ready to play.

Epps going from limited to full is important with the Eagles thin at safety right now.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Eagles handle JJAW’s playing time on Sunday.

T.J. Edwards and Rudy Ford were removed from the injury report since they were placed on injured reserve.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

WR Alshon Jeffery (illness)
CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring)
OT Lane Johnson (ankle)
S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)

FULL PARTICIPATION

WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf)
DT Fletcher Cox (restl)
S Marcus Epps (ribs)
OG Nate Herbig (groin)
C Jason Kelce (hip)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)

The Steelers added a big name to their injury report: starting edge rusher T.J. Watt. If they’re missing the guy who finished tied for the fourth most sacks in the NFL last year, well, that’d be a big break for the Eagles’ offensive line. We’ll have to see how Watt handles Friday’s practice.

Elsewhere, everyone who didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice returned except for fullback Derek Watt and backup linebacker Marcus Allen. Both on pace to miss Sunday’s game.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

LB Marcus Allen (foot)
LB T.J. Watt (knee)
FB Derek Watt (hamstring)

FULL PARTICIPATION

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)