The Philadelphia Eagles issued their third and final official injury report on Friday in advance of their Week 10 game against the New York Giants.
Only one player was ruled OUT: Craig James.
James fully participated on Wednesday but missed practice a new shoulder injury on Thursday. His absence leaves the Eagles’ depth at outside cornerback thinner and hurts their special teams unit. Philly could look to elevate Michael Jacquet from the practice squad if they want more corner depth.
In a Christmas miracle come early, the Eagles have no other players listed with injury designations on their final injury report. What a concept!
This means that Miles Sanders, Alshon Jeffery, Lane Johnson, Malik Jackson, Jack Driscoll, and Cre’Von LeBlanc are all set to play this week after previously missing time.
Sanders’ return is obviously a big positive development for the offense. He’s an explosive threat as both a runner and a pass catcher.
Jeffery will make his 2020 season debut on Sunday. It’s not perfectly clear how he’ll be used or how much he’ll even play in his first game since mid-December 2019. One would hope Jeffery’s return doesn’t mean decreased playing time for promising young talents like Travis Fulgham and Jalen Reagor. With Jeffery back, it’s possible that both J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Quez Watkins could be inactive as healthy scratches. At least one of them will be.
Johnson is poised to start at right tackle but it remains to be seen if he can actually finish a game for the first time since Week 3. Driscoll figures to be his top backup while Jordan Mailata is the top backup behind Jason Peters at left tackle.
It’s unclear if Isaac Seumalo, who is currently still on injured reserve, will be activated for Sunday’s game. Doug Pederson said Seumalo was only limited in practice this week. If Seumalo doesn’t play, the Eagles could use the following offensive line configuration against the Giants:
Left tackle — Jason Peters
Left guard — Nate Herbig
Center — Jason Kelce
Right guard — Matt Pryor
Right tackle — Lane Johnson
It’ll be pretty disappointing to see Pryor getting playing time if Mailata is on the bench, though. Especially when Peters could be moved to guard and Mailata could play left tackle.
Fletcher Cox missed Friday’s practice due to non-COVID related illness. Should be fine for Sunday though.
The Eagles revealed that director of player personnel/senior defensive assistant Jeremiah Washburn was the coaching staff member who tested positive for COVID-19. He will not be traveling with the team in North Jersey; his responsibilities will be “assumed by other members of the defensive coaching staff.”
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)
OUT
CB Craig James (shoulder)
…
RESERVE/INJURED
DE Genard Avery
OT Andre Dillard
TE Zach Ertz
LB Nathan Gerry
WR DeSean Jackson
TE Josh Perkins
DT Hassan Ridgeway
OG Isaac Seumalo (designated for return)
RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM
RESERVE/RETIRED
RESERVE/OPT-OUT
NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)
The Giants placing Devonta Freeman on injured reserve could be bad news for the Eagles. Freeman was only averaging 3.2 yards per carry; he had three rushes for eight yards against Philly in Week 7. His absence increases touches for Wayne Gallman (4.4) and Alfred Morris (5.6), who have been more effective running backs.
Former Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate is questionable to play after being limited on Thursday and Friday. Tate has seven receptions for 107 yards (15.3 average) and two touchdowns in three games against the Birds since joining the Giants. If he can’t play, Week 9 standout Austin Mack could be in line for more playing time.
Projected starting cornerback Isaac Yiadom is a new addition to the Giants’ injury report with a calf issue. New York is already banged up at corner so it wouldn’t be good for them if he can’t suit up or has to play through injury.
The Giants will potentially activate promising rookie linebacker Tae Crowder ahead of Sunday. Crowder didn’t play in the first meeting between these two teams.
QUESTIONABLE
WR Golden Tate (knee)
CB Isaac Yiadom (calf)
…
RESERVE/INJURED
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Lorenzo Carter
DB Adrian Colbert
WR Cody Core
LB Tae Crowder (designated for return)
RB Devonta Freeman
DB Jaquarius Landrews
CB Ryan Lewis
S Xavier McKinney
WR David Sills V
LB Oshane Ximines
RESERVE/OPT-OUT
CB Sam Beal
WR Da’Mari Scott
OT Nate Solder
