The Philadelphia Eagles have a rest-filled injury report ahead of Week 18, posing questions about their viability against the New York Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni put an end to any uncertainty about his team’s status for Sunday against the New York Giants when he spilled the beans about running back Saquon Barkley sitting in Week 18.
The Giants will take solace in Barkley not attempting to make history against his former team, rendering them the answer to a trivia question. But Philadelphia looks like it is taking its entire foot off the gas pedal.
The Eagles held a walkthrough on Wednesday, and the resulting injury report makes it clear that New York won’t be facing the team that blew up Week 7.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Philadelphia released the following injury report on Wednesday.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
- Running Back Saquon Barkley (Rest)
- Offensive Lineman Mekhi Becton (Rest)
- Receiver A.J. Brown (Knee/Rest)
- Offensive Lineman Landon Dickerson (Rest)
- Quarterback Jalen Hurts (Concussion/Finger)
- Right Tackle Lane Johnson (Rest)
- Quarterback Kenny Pickett (Ribs)
- Cornerback Darius Slay (Rest)
- Receiver DeVonta Smith (Rest/Wrest)
- Edge Rusher Josh Sweat (Rest)
LIMITED
- Linebacker Zack Baun (Rest)
- Safety Reed Blankenship (Rest)
- Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter (Rest)
- Safety Cooper DeJean (Rest)
- Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Rest)
- Center Cam Jurgens (Rest)
- Left Tackle Jordan Mailata (Rest)
- Running Back Will Shipley (Concussion)
- Edge Rusher Nolan Smith (Rest)
FULL
- Nakobe Dean (Abdomen)
- Edge Rusher Bryce Huff (Wrist)
Needless to say, that’s a lot of names for any injury report, and it sets the expectation for Sunday.
New York will be going up against Philadelphia’s second team, with some cameos from starters – presumably at positions with less depth. Week 18 is a very winnable game for a Giants team whose fans will anxiously be rooting against them.
Adding to New York’s advantage in the season finale is Pickett’s injury. Hurts was never going to play in this game (he’ll likely be cleared from concussion protocol the next time practices) but Pickett left Week 17 early and is not a guarantee to get the green light on Sunday.
That would give the Giants defense a chance to tee off on third-string quarterback Tanner McKee.
At some point, Sunday’s contest could turn into a referendum on general manager Joe Schoen’s roster. If their rival’s depth is better than their (admittedly beleaguered) starting lineup, Big Blue might have bigger problems on its hands than a fluctuating draft pick.
