September 13, 2023

Eagles-Vikings Week 2 injury report, with analysis

The latest injury news ahead of the Eagles' Thursday Night Football matchup with the Vikings.

By Jimmy Kempski
PhillyVoice Staff

Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports

Vikings C Garrett Bradbury injured his back Week 1.

The Philadelphia Eagles did not have any players with an injury designation heading into their Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. However, several players got banged up in that game, and they'll only have a few days to try to heal up for their Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Here's the Eagles-Vikings injury report, with analysis.

Player	Injury	*Mon	Tues	Wed	Status
S Reed Blankenship	Ribs	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
CB James Bradberry	Concussion	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
DT Fletcher Cox	Ribs	DNP	Limited	Limited	Questionable
LB Nakobe Dean	Foot	DNP	Placed on IR
RB Kenny Gainwell	Ribs	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out

Monday notes:

• The Eagles had a walkthrough on Monday, but the above is an estimation from the team on players' statuses if they had practiced.

• Dean will be out "multiple weeks." We covered that in a little more depth on Monday.

• Bradberry is in the concussion protocol, which will be difficult to clear by Thursday.

• The severity of the "ribs" injuries for the other three guys is to be determined.

Tuesday notes:

• Dean was placed on IR.

• Cox was upgraded to "limited," which is a good isgn for his chances of playing on Thursday night.

• It won't be a surprise if Bradberry doesn't play against the Vikings, but if Blankenship can't go that could be trouble given the team's shaky safety depth.

Wednesday notes:

• Bradberry was unable to clear the concussion protocol in time, as expected.

• The loss of Blankenship is troubling. Sydney Brown and Terrell Edmunds will have a bigger role on defense.

• Gainwell’s absence opens the door for D’Andre Swift to get the bulk of the work at running back, like he probably should have Week 1. Rashaad Penny will also very likely dress on Thursday night after being a healthy scratch on Sunday.

Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

• LB Nakobe Dean: Dean did not stand out in a good or bad way throughout the first few weeks of training camp, and he missed some time with an injury. However, he made a big play when he forced a goal line fumble in the Eagles' second preseason game against the Browns, and he was very active and around the ball a lot in joint practices against the Colts. He closed camp on a high note. In the Eagles' first game against the Patriots, he injured his foot and landed on injured reserve. He'll be eligible to return to the field Week 6 against the Jets.

The Eagles only have three other off-ball linebackers on their 53-man roster. They are Zach Cunningham, Christian Elliss, and Nicholas Morrow. They also signed former first round linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad.

Player	Injury	*Mon	Tues	Wed	Status
C Garrett Bradbury	Back	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
LT Christian Darrisaw	Ankle	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable
Edge Marcus Davenport	Ankle	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable

Monday notes:

* The Vikings had a walkthrough on Monday, but the above is an estimation from the team on players' statuses if they had practiced.

• Bradbury left the Vikings' game against the Buccaneers Week 1 with a back injury. He only played 7 snaps, and was replaced in the lineup by Austin Schlottmann.

• Davenport did not play Week 1 against the Buccaneers.

• Darrisaw missed six snaps on Sunday against the Bucs. He was replaced in the lineup by Oli Udoh.

• Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said that Bradbury, Darrisaw, and Davenport are all "day-to-day," per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.

Kevin O’Connell says that Garrett Bradbury (back), Christian Darrisaw (ankle) and Marcus Davenport (ankle) are all day to day with a Thursday game in Philly looming. pic.twitter.com/Rc2P88VkMe
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 11, 2023

Tuesday notes:

• Bradbury was a non-participant once again.

Wednesday notes:

• Bradbury is out. Schlottmann should start. Bradbury is a middle of the road type of center, but he's better than Schlottmann. For the second straight week the Eagles will face a compromised interior OL.

• Darrisaw being questionable has to be very concerning for Vikings fans. He is their best offensive lineman. It would be a big downgrade from Darrisaw to Udoh if Darrisaw can't go.