Good news for those hoping to start Alshon Jeffery on Monday night. Washington has ruled out cornerback Josh Norman. That makes it more likely Jeffery will have a big night. (When Norman is healthy and on his game, that’s a matchup the Eagles probably would shy away from; when Carson Wentz threw for 307 yards and 2 TDs at Washington back in Week 1, Jeffery caught only 3 passes for 38 yards.)
But any concerns about Jeffery possibly playing a diminished role disappeared when the two teams submitted their injury reports.
Two other starters in Washington’s secondary are questionable – cornerback Bashaud Breeland (knee) and safety Deshazor Everett (hamstring) – so that’s a banged up secondary. Philadelphia’s offense has taken different approaches in different games; it heavily emphasized the pass in the first two games, then ran for over 190 yards in two games, and has been more balanced the last two weeks. Given the health of that secondary, they probably won’t hesitate to pass this week – I think Wentz will put up top-5 QB numbers.
Offensively, Washington lists Rob Kelley (ankle) and Trent Williams (knee) as questionable. Kelley should play; he participated some in practice all week. But I wouldn’t be excited about rolling him out against a defense ranking No. 1 against the run. This seems more like a game where Washington will want Chris Thompson on the field more than usual, running draws and catching dumpoff passes. I expect Williams will play. He didn’t practice at all on Wednesday or Thursday and was limited today, but Williams played last week with the same injury despite not practicing at all.
Washington has ruled out offensive linemen Tyler Catalina and Ty Nsekhe, but neither has started a game this year.
For the Eagles, Wendell Smallwood (knee) is questionable, just like he’s been the last two weeks, but he should play. He practiced fully all week (the last two weeks, he didn’t practice at all). Smallwood likely will get a dozen touches off the bench; LeGarrette Blount is their starting tailback, but Smallwood is a lot faster and a much better pass catcher – might finish with more total yards, given that Blount doesn’t catch any passes. But Blount is their back of choice in goal-line situations, and he’s been playing well, with at least 65 rushing yards in four straight games.
Philadelphia is hopeful that it will get cornerback Ronald Darby back in the starting lineup. He’s been out since Week 1 with a sprained ankle. Washington is well stocked with wide receivers, so the Eagles would like to have all of their defensive backs.
MONDAY NIGHT INJURY REPORT
WASHINGTON
OUT G Tyler Catalina (concussion), CB Josh Norman (rib), T Ty Nsekhe (core muscle)
QUESTIONABLE CB Bashaud Breeland (knee), S Deshazor Everett (hamstring), LB Mason Foster (shoulder), RB Rob Kelley (ankle), S Stefan McClure (knee), T Trent Williams (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday: T Ty Nsekhe (core muscle), T Trent Williams (knee)
Friday: G Tyler Catalina (concussion), T Ty Nsekhe (core muscle), S D.J. Swearinger (not injury related), T Trent Williams (knee)
Saturday: G Tyler Catalina (concussion), CB Josh Norman (rib), T Ty Nsekhe (core muscle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: LB Ryan Anderson (back), CB Bashaud Breeland (knee), G Tyler Catalina (concussion protocol), S Deshazor Everett (hamstring), RB Rob Kelley (ankle), S Stefan McClure (knee), CB Josh Norman (rib)
Friday: CB Bashaud Breeland (knee), S Deshazor Everett (hamstring), LB Mason Foster (shoulder), RB Rob Kelley (ankle), S Stefan McClure (knee), CB Josh Norman (rib)
Saturday: CB Bashaud Breeland (knee), S Deshazor Everett (hamstring), LB Mason Foster (shoulder), RB Rob Kelley (ankle), S Stefan McClure (knee), T Trent Williams (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: LB Mason Foster (shoulder), CB Fabian Moreau (shoulder, hamstring), S Montae Nicholson (shoulder)
Friday: LB Ryan Anderson (back), CB Fabian Moreau (shoulder, hamstring), S Montae Nicholson (shoulder)
Saturday: LB Ryan Anderson (back), CB Fabian Moreau (shoulder, hamstring), S Montae Nicholson (shoulder), S D.J. Swearinger (not injury related)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
QUESTIONABLE CB Ronald Darby (ankle), LB Jordan Hicks (calf), LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), RB Wendell Smallwood (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: DT Beau Allen (foot), CB Ronald Darby (ankle), LB Jordan Hicks (calf), DT Timmy Jernigan (ankle)
Friday: CB Ronald Darby (ankle), LB Jordan Hicks (calf), LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring)
Saturday: CB Ronald Darby (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday: DT Fletcher Cox (calf), DE Brandon Graham (shoulder), T Lane Johnson (concussion), RB Wendell Smallwood (knee), DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist)
Friday: DT Beau Allen (foot), DT Fletcher Cox (calf), DE Brandon Graham (shoulder), DT Timmy Jernigan (ankle), T Lane Johnson (concussion), RB Wendell Smallwood (knee), DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist)
Saturday: DT Beau Allen (foot), DT Fletcher Cox (calf), DE Brandon Graham (shoulder), LB Jordan Hicks (calf), DT Timmy Jernigan (ankle), T Lane Johnson (concussion), LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), RB Wendell Smallwood (knee), DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist)
—Ian Allan