September 08, 2019
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson will both play. My apologies if you clicked on this in fear that they won't.
A season ago, the Philadelphia Eagles headed into Week 1 sans a number of their most important players, including quarterback Carson Wentz, No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, starting DT Timmy Jernigan, and suspended starting LB Nigel Bradham.
This season, while the Eagles have some players who won't be a go, almost all of their starters are available.
Here are the Eagles-Washington inactives, with analysis:
• QB Nate Sudfeld: It'll be interesting to see who the No. 2 quarterback is between Sudfeld and Josh McCown whenever Sudfeld returns. Sudfeld is the No. 2 on the Eagles' depth chart at the moment, though that's not exactly reliable. Still, the Eagles are in capable hands with McCown should Wentz need to come out, in the short-term, anyway.
• OT Jordan Mailata: Mailata would have likely been inactive for this matchup, even if healthy.
• OL Matt Pryor: Pryor doesn't seem ready to play in a real game yet.
• iOL Nate Herbig: If Jason Kelce goes down, Isaac Seumalo will move over from LG to C.
• DE Daeshon Hall: Hall apparently didn't win the No. 4 DE job over Josh Sweat, which is crazy to me, but whatever.
• DE Shareef Miller: Developmental pass rusher won't see the field barring multiple DE injuries.
• LB Kamu Grugier-Hill: Grugier-Hill's Grade 3 MCL sprain will keep him out until sometime, ohhhh, around Week 3 or 4-ish. In his place, a motivated Zach Brown will likely take Kamu's place against against his former team.
• CB Jalen Mills (PUP): Mills' foot injury has been extremely slow to heal, and he'll be on PUP through at least Week 6.
• CB Cre'Von LeBlanc (IR): LeBlanc was a contributing in-season addition in 2018 who "really solidified the nickel spot," according to Jim Schwartz. In eight regular season games with the Eagles in 2018, LeBlanc had 24 tackles, but no INTs. He did intercept a Drew Brees pass early on in the Eagles' playoff loss to the Saints. LeBlanc is out with a Lisfranc injury. He'll be allowed to practice after Week 6 of the regular season, and can return to the active roster after Week 8.
• DE Joe Ostman (IR): Ostman was having a great camp, before he was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
• TE Richard Rodgers (IR): The Eagles placed Rodgers on the season-ending IR list with a foot injury.
• QB Colt McCoy: McCoy has been Washington's long-term backup since 2014. He was in contention to start for them this season, but the broken fibula suffered against the Eagles last season has reportedly had complications, delaying the healing process.
• RB Adrian Peterson: Peterson is a healthy scratch, apparently, while Wendell Smallwood is active.
• TE Jordan Reed: Reed is Washington's only truly proven pass-catcher at wide receiver or tight end. He suffered the seventh known concussion of his career (dating back to college) on a cheapshot by Keanu Neal of the Falcons during the preseason.
• OG Wes Martin: Rookie fourth-round pick.
• C Ross Pierschbacher: Rookie fifth-round pick.
• CB Fabian Moreau: Moreau would normally be the starting slot corner. He will likely be replaced by Jimmy Moreland, a rookie seventh-round pick who reportedly had a good training camp. Surely, the Eagles will look to test whoever lines up opposite Nelson Agholor in the slot.
• DT Treyvon Hester: Jake Elliott's kicks are safe.
• LT Trent Williams (reserve/ did not report list): 36-year-old Donald Penn is slated to start in place of Williams at LT, and former Giants bust Ereck Flowers will likely be starting at LG. Woof. RDE Derek Barnett and RDT Malik Jackson should be licking their chops.
In case you missed any of the Williams saga, the short-short version is that he is holding out, and has stated repeatedly through sources that he is never playing for Washington again.
• QB Alex Smith (IR): Smith is still recovering from the gruesome broken leg he suffered last season against the Texans. It will be impressive if he ever plays football again.
• LB Reuben Foster (IR): After his third arrest in a calendar year, the San Francisco 49ers waived Foster during the 2018 season. Fewer than three days after the third arrest, which was on domestic violence charges, Washington claimed him off of waivers. They were roundly (and rightly) criticized for it. Foster did not play the rest of 2018, but he figured to be a big part of Washington's plans on defense in 2019, as he was slated to start at inside linebacker, replacing Zach Brown, who is now with the Eagles. He tore his ACL in May, in addition to suffering nerve damage. Obviously, he is done for the season.
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