November 24, 2017
The 9-1 Philadelphia Eagles have a short injury list this week against the 3-7 Chicago Bears, although as we point out every week, they have lost a large number of key players for the season on injured reserve. Like the Eagles, the Bears too have suffered a number of long-term injuries. Unlike the Eagles, they also have a boatload of players on the injury report.
Here's the final Friday injury report:
• DT Beau Allen (knee): Allen is a quality reserve tackle, and run-stuffing DT who would be an asset against a run-heavy team such as the Bears. If he cannot go, expect Destiny Vaeao's snaps to increase.
• TE Trey Burton (back): On the season, Burton has 11 catches for 111 yards and 2 TDs. Against the Bears Week 2 last season, Burton had his best receiving game as a pro, catching 5 catches for 49 yards and a TD.
• LT Jason Peters: Peters tore his ACL and MCL against the Redskins. While the Eagles certainly miss Peters, his loss has not devastated the team so far, as they have gotten competent play from Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
• LB Jordan Hicks: Hicks wasn't off to his best season this year when he went down with a ruptured Achilles. Still, it's a big loss for the Eagles' defense, though the Eagles have more than adapted.
• RB Darren Sproles: Sproles is done for the season with a torn ACL. On the field, Sproles was the Eagles' most well-rounded running back, as he can run inside, run outside, be a weapon in the passing game, and he's easily the team's best back in pass protection. Obviously, because of his small size, however, Sproles has been never been used as a 'workhorse' type of back, but he was typically on the field in the Eagles' most crucial situations. He was also the team's primary punt returner.
The Eagles' acquisition of Ajayi signals a change in running styles from the small elusive group the Eagles had back in May, to the bruising combo of Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount that they now have.
• CB Sidney Jones: Jones remains on the NFI list. If and when the Eagles activate him, Jones will be allowed to practice for three weeks before the Eagles will have to decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the season. The Eagles still have time to decide to take him off the NFI list before his three-week practice period.
• K Caleb Sturgis: Sturgis was placed on IR with a quad injury suffered Week 1 against the Redskins. He was replaced by Elliott.
• S Chris Maragos: Maragos suffered a knee injury against the Panthers, and was placed on IR. He was the Eagles' best player on their kick coverage unit on special teams, and served as the Eagles' special teams captain.
• LB Danny Trevathan: Trevathan is a starting linebacker for the Bears. On the season, he has 52 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 INT.
• WR Josh Bellamy: On the season, Bellamy has 12 catches for 171 yards and 1 TD.
• DE Roy Robertson-Harris: Robertson-Harris is a reserve DE. The Bears are potentially already thin (or at least not 100%) at DE, with Akiem Hicks and Mitch Unrein listed as questionable.
• S DeAndre Houston-Carson: Reserve safety.
Update: Bellamy and Houston-Carson are now out:
#Bears announce S DeAndre Houston-Carson and WR Josh Bellamy did not travel with team to Philadelphia, They are downgraded to out.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 25, 2017
• OG Kyle Long: Long is the starting RG, and a good player.
• DE Akiem Hicks: Hicks leads the Bears with 7 sacks. The Bears' interior defensive line is the strength of their 3-4 defense.
• OLB Pernell McPhee: McPhee has 4 sacks this season and 31 for his career.
• DE Mitch Unrein: Unrein is a stater at DE along the Bears' good 3-4 D-line.
• CB Bryce Callahan: Backup corner.
• OG Tom Compton: Compton is a reserve guard for the Bears, formerly a player for the Redskins.
• QB Mark Sanchez: I'll be honest. I had no idea the Sanchise was still in the league.
• WR Dontrelle Inman: The Bears traded for Inman earlier this year. He has 9 catches for 131 yards and no TDs.
• TE Dion Sims: Sims is a backup tight end. He has 9 catches for 113 yards and 1 TD on the season.
• OLB Leonard Floyd: Floyd is a talented young pass rusher, and would have simply been the next in line for Lane Johnson. On the season, Floyd had 4.5 sacks, after registering 7 sacks as a rookie. Sam Acho will likely take his place.
• OLB Willie Young: In three seasons with the Bears from 2014-2016, Young had 24 sacks. He had 2 sacks after four games this season before he was placed on IR with a torn triceps.
• LB Jerrell Freeman: In five seasons prior to 2017, Freeman had 588 tackles (118 per season), 12 sacks, and four INTs. He was suspended for 10 games for a second violation of the leagues policy on PEDs.
• WR Kevin White: White was the seventh overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. White has had an injury-plagued career in which he has played in just five games. After one game this season, White went on IR with a fractured shoulder blade.
• WR Cameron Meredith: Meredith led the Bears in 2016 with 66 catches for 888 yards and 4 TDs. He tore his ACL prior to the start of the 2017 season.
• TE Zach Miller: Miller almost had to have his leg amputated after a gruesome injury suffered Week 8 against the Saints. Before his injury, Miller had 20 catches for 236 yards and 2 TDs as the Bears' starting TE.
• S Quintin Demps: Yep, that Quintin Demps. He's still in the league, apparently.
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