Eagles vs. Steelers Final Injury Report: DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery ruled out

The Philadelphia Eagles issued their third and final official injury report on Friday in advance of their Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Eagles ruled three players OUT: Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Avonte Maddox.

The Eagles had hoped Jeffery would be able to practice more this week but he missed two days due to illness (purportedly not COVID related) after being limited on Wednesday. It’s not perfectly clear if Jeffery would’ve been able to play this week if he hadn’t missed time.

The Eagles’ decision to not put Jeffery on PUP can be drawn into question because he’s spent five weeks taking up a roster spot while being unable to play. Putting him on PUP would’ve created an opening while keeping him out for six games. So, if Jeffery is able to return in Week 6, he’ll be back one week earlier than PUP would’ve allowed. Was it worth burning a spot that the team could’ve used while trying to navigate around a bunch of other injury issues?

Jackson was a limited participant in practice all week. It’s hard to count on the 33-year-old staying on the field for long even when he is able to play again. With Jackson and Jeffery out, the Eagles are down to the following wide receivers on the 53-man roster: John Hightower, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and Travis Fulgham. The team could look to activate rookie Quez Watkins from injured reserve if he’s healthy enough. They could also look to elevate Deontay Burnett or Marcus Green from the practice squad, though doing so with Burnett would expose him to waivers after Sunday’s game.

Maddox is missing his second straight game. The Eagles are expected to start Jalen Mills at cornerback again in his place. Darius Slay, Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Cre’Von LeBlanc are the only other healthy corners on the roster.

Rodney McLeod is listed without a game status despite sitting out on Wednesday and being limited on Thursday. He was full go on Friday.

Craig James and Vinny Curry are eligible to be activated from injured reserve this week. The Eagles have until 4:00 PM on Saturday to add them to the roster.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

OUT

WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring)
WR Alshon Jeffery (illness)
CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)

...

RESERVE/INJURED

DE Vinny Curry
OT Andre Dillard
LB T.J. Edwards
S Rudy Ford
TE Dallas Goedert
CB Craig James
S Will Parks
TE Josh Perkins
WR Jalen Reagor
OG Isaac Seumalo
WR Quez Watkins

RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM

OG Brandon Brooks
DE Daeshon Hall

RESERVE/RETIRED

LB Jatavis Brown

RESERVE/OPT-OUT

WR Marquise Goodwin

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)

The big news on the Steelers’ end is that T.J. Watt fully practiced after missing Thursday’s practice. He’s good to go.

Pittsburgh ruled out backup linebacker Marcus Allen and fullback Derek Watt. They’re pretty healthy otherwise.

OUT

LB Marcus Allen (foot)
FB Derek Watt (hamstring)

...

RESERVE/INJURED

OT Zach Banner
OG Stefen Wisniewski

RESERVE/RETIRED

LB Ryan Shazier