December 09, 2016
As they've been all season, the Philadelphia Eagles are a healthy football team. The Washington Redskins, on the other hand, will be without a number of their starters this Sunday in a game that is much more meaningful to them than the Eagles.
Here's the Friday injury report, with analysis:
• OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai: With Vaitai out, Allen Barbre slid over to RT the last two weeks, with Stefen Wisniewski filling in at LG.
• WR Jordan Matthews: Matthews missed last week's game against the Bengals. Obviously, with so few other weapons at the Eagles' disposal, not having Matthews on Sunday would be a big blow to the Eagles' passing offense, although he is expected to play.
• RB Ryan Mathews: Mathews was out with an MCL sprain the last two weeks, which he suffered against the Seahawks. On the season, Mathews has 102 carries for 427 yards (4.2 YPC) and seven touchdowns.
• WR Dorial Green-Beckham: Over the last three games, DGB has been the Eagles' most productive receiver, although that's a pretty low bar.
• RT Lane Johnson (suspended 10 games): Eight games down on Johnson's suspension, two to go.
• CB Ron Brooks (IR): As a player, Brooks isn't exactly a world-beater, as he doesn't have a single interception, sack, or forced fumble over his five-year NFL career, however, his loss has forced Malcolm Jenkins to drop down into the slot in nickel packages, with Jaylen Watkins coming off the bench to play safety.
• S Will Blackmon: The Redskins' starting safeties to begin the season were DeAngelo Hall and David Bruton, who are now both on IR. Throw Blackmon on the pile now too. Donte Whitner and Duke Ihenacho will likely start at safety for the Redskins this week.
• C Spencer Long: Long filled in for Kory Lichtensteiger when he went on IR earlier in the season. The new starter at center will now be John Sullivan.
• DE Anthony Lanier: Back of the roster guy.
• TE Jordan Reed: Reed is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. In the Eagles' first matchup with the Redskins, Reed was out with a concussion. This time it's a shoulder injury that Reed is dealing with.
• OG Shawn Lauvao: Lauvao is the Redskins' starting LG. If he can't go, Arie Kouandjio would likely get the start.
• OT Ty Nsekhe: With Trent Williams serving a four-game suspension, Nsekhe filled in and played admirably. With Williams back, Nsekhe's injury is less of a concern for the Skins.
• OG Brandon Scherff: The starting RG owned Fletcher Cox in the last matchup.
• DE Chris Baker: The cheap shot artist is dealing with an ankle injury.
• DE Ricky Jean Francois: If you hadn't noticed, the Redskins are pretty banged up in the trenches.
• OLB Preston Smith: In three career games against the Eagles, Smith has 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• ILB Will Compton: Starting inside backer for the Skins. Just a guy.
• TE Derek Carrier: Athletic tight end who was once in Eagles camp. Two receptions this season.
• OLB Junior Galette: Productive pass rusher who had 12 sacks in 2013, 10 sacks in 2014, and hasn't played since.
• S DeAngelo Hall: Hall's season is over after tearing an ACL. He was a starting safety.
• S David Bruton: Bruton was the Redskins' other starting safety.
• WR Josh Doctson: Doctson was the Redskins' 2016 first-round pick. He has been out since Week 2, but obviously, the Redskins have their share of good receivers in DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder. On the season, Doctson had two catches for 66 yards.
• C Kory Lichtensteiger: Third-year pro Spencer Long took over at center for the Skins, who is also out this week, as noted above.
• NT Kedric Golston: Golston was part of the Redskins' defensive line rotation.
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