The Philadelphia Eagles released their third and final injury report of the week on Friday ahead of their Week 8 game against the Washington Commanders.
The big news is that Saquon Barkley is listed as having no game status. He will play on Sunday night.
Barkley returned to practice Friday — albeit in a limited capacity — after being listed as inactive on Wednesday and Thursday. There’s no question that Barkley’s desire to play and help his team try to turn the season around is impressive. But the team should protect him from himself and sit him if he’s not nearly healthy enough to play and stay in the game. Which is reasonable to assume is the case considering he didn’t even fully participate in a practice this week! While overcompensating for his hamstring injury, Barkley injured his back on his first rushing attempt in Week 7 and then played sparingly through obvious discomfort the rest of the game. What’s the point of that? What if he gets hurt even more? That’s not just a setback as it relates to this season, which may still be cooking, but potentially long-term. It could also prevent teams from making offers not only before the NFL trade deadline but in the offseason, too. Even if you don’t mind trading him at any point, you should want him healthy for next year! I just think playing him was a short-sighted decision with more downside than upside.
The Eagles ruled five players OUT: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Jihaad Campbell, Britain Covey, and Jonathan Jones.
Smith and Wicks did not practice this week ahead of their second straight game missed; the Eagles are once again without their top two wide receivers. With Covey also out, the Eagles have just four healthy wide-outs on the roster: Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore. Against the Cowboys last week, Cooper played the most snaps of any Eagles WR with Lemon behind him. Despite this, Cooper only saw three targets while Lemon saw eight. The team will likely look to force feed their rookie first-round pick again in this matchup. To determine if they will look to move up a fifth receiver from the practice squad. Their options there: Erik Ezukanma, Xavier Gipson (who also has return experience), and Quentin Skinner.
Campbell will miss the first game of his career. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who has been eating up Campbell’s playing time, will start in his absence. Smael Mondon is the only linebacker on the roster behind Trot Jr. and Zack Baun.
Jones has been the Eagles’ top backup outside cornerback. His absence could mean Kelee Ringo (or Jakorian Bennett or Mac McWilliams) is the next man up if Quinyon Mitchell or Riq Woolen misses out.
Eagles rule out a player QUESTION: Jacorian Bennett.
Bennett participated fully in practice all week. He is in his 21-day training window to return from injured reserve. The Eagles have until 4:00 PM Eastern on Saturday to activate him from IR so he can play on Sunday. They will need to open up a roster spot to do so.
Players with no game status are listed prominently: Barkley (as previously mentioned), Zack Baun, Landon Dickerson, Dallas Goedert, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen, Arnold Ebiketie, Smael Mondon, Michael Carter II, Nolan Smith, Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Moro Ojomo, and Marcus Epps.
They all appeared on the injury report this week.
Nolan Smith is remarkably set to return after missing Week 7 with a concussion.
Michael Carter II is also set to return after missing the Eagles’ last two games.
Hunt and Ojomo will play but will be limited in practice all week. Obviously they are not 100%.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (FRIDAY)
LB Jihaad Campbell (hamstring/quad)
WR Britain Covey (knee)
CB Jonathan Jones (hamstring)
WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
CB Jakorian Bennett (knee)
CB Jakorian Bennett (training window open)
RB Tank Bigsby
RB Dameon Pierce
QB Jalen Hurts
S Andre’ Sam
RB Will Shipley
WR Johnny Wilson
On October 14, the Eagles opened Bennett’s 21-day practice window to return from IR. Bigsby is eligible to return to the roster after Week 8. Shipley is eligible to return to the roster after Week 9. Pierce is eligible to return to the roster after Week 12. Hurts, Sam and, Wilson are out for the season.
RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL Injury
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS DAMAGE REPORT (FRIDAY)
Washington ruled one player OUT: starting defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.
He ranks second among commanding defensive tackles in snaps played this season.
The Commanders ruled out four QUESTION players: starting defensive tackle Daron Payne, rotational defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, fill-in starting receiver Treylon Burks, and No. 2 tight end John Bates.
Payne is a new addition to the report; he was listed as limited with a leg injury on Friday. It’s not good for the Commanders defense if he can’t play.
Newton was limited in practice all week. Guess he won’t fit. But the Commanders could use him to take some snaps since Kinlaw is out and Payne is questionable right now.
Burks-DNP-limited has been limited for the past three days. Let’s see if he plays. The Commanders are already missing some of their other top options at receiver.
Bates was limited Friday after not practicing the previous two days. He might have a chance to make amends.
Washington is notably starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, leading receiver Terry McLaurin, and leading rusher Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve.
TE John Bates (shoulder)
WR Treylon Burks (foot)
DT Jer’Zhan Newton (pectoral)
DT Daron Payne (foot)
LB Leo Chenal
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
WR Jaylin Lane
WR Terry McLaurin
DT Jer’Zhan Newton (practice window open)
OT Laremy Tunsil
LB Nick Bellore
DT DJ Davidson
CB Ahkello Witherspoon