The latest news on Philadelphia and Carolina.
The Philadelphia Eagles issued their first official injury report on Wednesday in advance of their Week 14 home game against the Carolina Panthers.
Note that this report is an estimation because the team held a walkthrough in lieu of a normal practice.
The Eagles listed four players under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Dallas Goedert, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, and Britain Covey.
Goedert is reportedly set to miss multiple games due to a knee injury. It’s not yet clear if the Eagles will place him on injured reserve. While Goedert is out, the Eagles are set to roll with Grant Calcaterra as their top tight end and C.J. Uzomah as TE2.
Though Blankenship did not participate, he was out at practice as a spectator. That much is a sign he’s progressing through the concussion protocol. He might have a chance to be cleared in time to play on Sunday. If not, he should be back by Week 15.
Brown unexpectedly popped up on the injury report late last week due to a knee issue. He was ruled questionable to play before ultimately suiting up. But apparently the knee is still bothering him. If Blankenship can’t play, Tristin McCollum is set to start over Brown anyway. But if both Blankenship and Brown are out, the Eagles only have two healthy full-time safeties on the roster: McCollum and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Avonte Maddox was cross-training at safety in the offseason, so, he’s likely a depth option there (albeit an uninspiring one given his struggles whenever he’s on the field). The Eagles also have rookie safety Andre’ Sam on the practice squad. He’s a temporarily elevation candidate.
Covey could be in jeopardy of missing this week’s game. If he can’t suit up, Cooper DeJean could go back to being utilized at punt returner.
The Eagles listed six players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: Saquon Barkley, Jalen Carter, Josh Sweat, Mekhi Becton, Darius Slay, and Johnny Wilson.
Barkley, Carter, and Sweat are listed with “rest” designations. They’ll be able to play this weekend.
Becton is listed with a “knee/rest” designation. He’ll likely be able to play this weekend.
Slay was listed as a participant for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 12. He might be cleared in time to play on Sunday. If not, it’ll be Isaiah Rodgers who starts at cornerback once again.
Wilson suffered a hamstring injury last week that caused him to miss Friday’s practice and Sunday’s game. Seems like he might be able to return this week but his progress over the next two days bears monitoring.
The Eagles listed one player under FULL PARTICIPATION: DeVonta Smith.
This marks the first time Smith has been listed as a full participant since missing the Eagles’ last two games due to a hamstring injury. There was word that DeVonta was really pushing to play in Week 13 but the Eagles wanted to hold him out to be careful. His projected return is certainly good news for the Eagles’ passing attack.
Non-injury practice news: new Eagles FULLBACK Khari Blasingame is wearing No. 48.
The official #JerseyNumberAnalytics stance here is that it’s a good selection for him. No. 48 isn’t pretty in a vacuum but an ugly number actually works for a fullback doing the dirty work as a lead blocker and special teams contributor. Jon Ritchie wore No. 48 when he played for the Eagles!
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Reed Blankenship (concussion)
S Sydney Brown (knee)
WR Britain Covey (neck)
TE Dallas Goedert (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
RB Saquon Barkley (rest)
OG Mekhi Becton (knee/rest)
DT Jalen Carter (rest)
CB Darius Slay (concussion)
DE Josh Sweat (rest)
WR Johnny Wilson (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
CAROLINA PANTHERS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
The Panthers listed one player under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: sack leader Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney has regularly been missing practice early in the week; the Panthers are managing the 31-year-old’s workload. The Eagles’ offensive line would be wise to keep Clowney away from Jalen Hurts on Sunday. Can’t risk him diving into the back of the head of another Eagles quarterback.
The Panthers listed four players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: starting tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, starting linebacker Josey Jewell, starting edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, and backup cornerback Caleb Farley.
Sanders ranks second among active members of the Panthers’ roster in receiving yards this season with 302. He missed Week 13 due to a neck injury but he might be able to return to action this weekend.
Jewell ranks second on the Panthers in total tackles. He got banged up in Week 13.
Wonnum has been dealing with multiple injury issues this season. He might be able to play in Philly.
The Panthers listed two players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: starting wide receiver Jalen Coker and starting safety Nick Scott.
Coker hasn’t played since Week 10. The big play threat is on track to return.
Scott’s practice window to return from injured reserve was opened last week. He might be able to suit up on Sunday.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
OLB Jadeveon Clowney (not injury-related/rest/knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Caleb Farley (shoulder)
LB Josey Jewell (hamstring)
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck)
OLB D.J. Wonnum (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR Jalen Coker (quadriceps)
S Nick Scott (hamstring)
