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January 15, 2022

Final Eagles-Buccaneers injury report, with analysis

Miles Sanders is set to return for the playoffs, but the Birds could be without their best edge rusher against Tom Brady.

Heading into the wildcard round of the playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles remain a relatively healthy team, and they are now also rested, as most of their starters got last weekend off with a playoff berth already clinched. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also a healthy team, for the most part, though they could be missing some important pieces on Sunday. Here is the Eagles-Buccaneers injury report, with analysis.

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Friday's report:

Player Injury *Wed Thurs Fri Status 
DT Fletcher CoxRestDNPFullFull
RT Lane JohnsonRest/KneeDNPLimitedLimited 
C Jason Kelce Rest  DNP Full Full  
DE Josh Sweat Illness (non-COVID)  DNP  DNP DNP Questionable 
LB Shaun Bradley Stinger Limited  LimitedFull  
OG Landon Dickerson Thumb Limited  Full Full  
OT Andre Dillard Knee Limited  LimitedFull  
OG Nate Herbig Ankle Limited  LimitedDNP Questionable 
RB Miles Sanders Hand Limited  LimitedFull  
WR Greg Ward Back Limited  FullFull  
QB Jalen Hurts Ankle Full  FullFull  
 CB Kary VincentFoot Full  FullFull  
 LB Patrick JohnsonBack   Limited  

*Wednesday's practice was a walkthrough. Injury classifications were projections.

Wednesday notes: Sanders was a limited participant, so that's a positive step in his progression. It's also noteworthy that Jordan Howard does not appear on the injury list at all.

The players who did not participate were out due to rest, or in Josh Sweat's case, an illness. 

Thursday's notes: Sweat's continued lack of practice with an illness will become concerning if he doesn't participate on Friday. Sanders remains limited.

Friday's notes: Sanders' availability is huge. However, if Sweat can't go, the Eagles will be missing their best edge rusher, which would likely mean a lot of Ryan Kerrigan. 😱


MORE: NFL wild card picks: Rounding up the experts' predictions for Eagles vs. Bucs | Wentz the latest reminder not to trade for an Eagles QB | NFL Wild Card Odds: Five bets we like for Eagles vs. Bucs


Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

• DE Brandon Graham (IR): Graham's season is over with a ruptured Achilles. On the field, Graham was arguably the Eagles' best defensive player in 2020. It's clear since his loss that the Eagles miss his contributions as a pass rusher and run stopper, and the Eagles have not been able to adequately replace him. Off the field, Graham has unlimited energy and positivity, and he is a player that you just want to have around if you're a head coach in the NFL. 

• RG Brandon Brooks (IR): Brooks suffered a pectoral injury against the 49ers. It's "only" a pec strain, as opposed to a tear, so while he'll likely miss time (about 8 weeks, per Lane Johnson) on injured reserve, it was initially not thought to be a season-ending injury. Brooks got hurt Week 2, so Week 12 was 10 weeks. Nick Sirianni has been repeatedly asked about Brooks' possible return, but no useful information has been given.

• LG Isaac Seumalo (IR): Seumalo was carted off the field in the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys. His season is over after having surgery for a Lisfranc injury.

• OL Jack Driscoll (IR): Driscoll's season is over after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Giants. Driscoll showed promise as a rookie in 2020, and he was a valuable player for the Eagles in 2021, initially filling in for Lane Johnson at RT, and later at RG in relief of Brandon Brooks. He played 512 snaps for the Eagles in 2021, and has looked like a capable starter, but his inability to stay on the field is concerning.

• LB Davion Taylor (IR): Taylor started six games for the Eagles. He had his best game as a pro in Denver Week 10, when he forced a pair of fumbles against the Broncos, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Darius Slay. Taylor was drafted as a raw prospect out of Colorado during the 2020 NFL Draft, and while he still has a ways to go as a professional linebacker, he has made positive strides during the 2021 season. He has been replaced in the lineup by Alex Singleton, and Nick Sirianni recently revealed that his season is over.

WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside: Arcega-Whiteside has played a blue collar role for the Eagles this season, mostly as a blocker on the perimeter and on special teams. On Saturday night, he reminded us why the ball almost never comes his way, when he dropped what should have been a touchdown against the Cowboys.

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Friday's report:

Player Injury *Wed Thurs Fri Status 
RB Ronald JonesAnkleDNPDNPDNPOut
OLB Anthony NelsonAnkleDNPLimited Full  
WR Cyril Grayson Hamstring  DNP DNP DNP Out 
WR Mike Evans Hamstring Limited Full Full  
C Ryan Jensen Shoulder Limited Limited Full  
OLB Shaquil Barrett Knee Limited Limited Full  
 OLB Jason Pierre-PaulShoulder/Knee Limited Limited DNP  
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable 
CB Jamel Dean Hamstring Limited Limited Full  
WR Breshad Perriman Hip Limited Limited Full  
 CB Rashard RobinsonGroin Limited Limited   
RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn Ribs Full Full Full  
P Bradley Pinion Hip Full Full Full  
WR Justin Watson Quad Limited Limited Full Questionable 
QB Tom Brady Rest  DNP Full  
DT Steve McLendon Rest  DNP Full  
CB Carlton Davis Back   Limited Questionable 
TE Rob Gronkowski Rest   DNP  
DT Ndamukong Suh Rest   DNP  

*Wednesday's practice was a walkthrough. Injury classifications were projections.

Wednesday's notes: A number of the Bucs' best players were limited in practice on Wednesday, but none are thought to be in danger of missing Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.

Thursday's notes: Evans was a full participant, which is a good sign for the Bucs in terms of his level of health.

Friday's notes: Adam Schefter is reporting that Leonard Fournette will not be activated from IR, and thus will be out. Bruce Arians had said earlier in the week that Fournette would be good to go. The Bucs will be without their top two backs in Fournette and Ronald Jones. The remaining backs on their roster are Le'Veon Bell, Giovani Bernard, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, and Kenjon Barner. 


MORE: Eagles vs. Buccaneers: Predictions, betting odds and more | Collecting receipts: Mike Lombardi said dumb stuff about another Eagles head coaching hire | Five matchups to watch, when Eagles have the ball | Five matchups to watch, when Bucs have the ball


Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

WR Chris Godwin: Godwin led the Buccaneers in 2021 in receptions (98) and yards (1103). He was third in receiving TDs (5). He was a huge part of Tampa's offense, whether it be as a possession receiver, in the screen game, or as a blocker on the perimeter, as he is one of Bruce Arians' favorite players.

WR Antonio Brown: Technically, Brown isn't on the team anymore, as he was essentially kicked off the team during a Week 17 win in New Jersey over the Jets, but we'll include him here anyway since he was obviously a big part of the Bucs' offense, when healthy.

CB Richard Sherman: The Bucs signed Sherman when they had some other injuries at corner earlier in the season, but he's basically cooked.

IR, designated for return

  1. Leonard Fournette: As noted above.


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