November 18, 2018
As usual, the Philadelphia Eagles are banged up heading into their matchup this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have a couple of injuries of note, but are very healthy for a game this late in the season.
The Eagles' and Saints' inactives:
• CB Jalen Mills (foot): Rasul Douglas filled in for Mills last Sunday against the Cowboys and struggled mightily. The expectation here is that he will once again get the start on the outside against New Orleans. Sidney Jones could start in place of Darby at the other outside spot, and Avonte Maddox will likely play in the slot.
• RB Darren Sproles (hamstring): This will now be the ninth straight game that Sproles will miss after injuring his hamstring Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. He's been day-to-day for almost three months.
In anticipation of Sproles' return, the Eagles released punt returner DeAndre Carter. With Sproles' setback and Carter's release, recently acquired Golden Tate handled punt return duties last week, and will likely do so again on Sunday.
• QB Nate Sudfeld: Third QB.
• S Deiondre Hall: Hall hasn't been used by the Eagles, despite a spate of injuries at safety.
• OG/OT Matt Pryor: Pryor is the lone Eagles player who has appeared on the inactive list for every game this season.
• OT Jordan Mailata: Mailata is back down after dressing last Sunday against the Cowboys.
• OG Chance Warmack: With Jason Peters' inability to play full games and Lane Johnson still hurting, heading into this game with seven active offensive linemen is risky.
• DE Derek Barnett (IR): Barnett had shoulder surgery, and his season is over. Barnett was the starting RDE who was off to a fast start this season, collecting 2.5 sacks (including a game-ending sack against the Indianapolis Colts), before suffering a shoulder injury against the Tennessee Titans. He played two games through the injury, but was much less effective than when he was fully healthy. Michael Bennett has taken over as the new starting RDE.
• RB Jay Ajayi (IR): Ajayi was acquired from the Miami Dolphins at the trade deadline last season, and he was a contributor to the Eagles' Super Bowl run, carrying 70 times for 408 yards (5.8 YPC) and 1 TD during the regular season, and then adding 184 yards on 42 carries during the playoffs. In four games this season, Ajayi rushed 45 times for 184 yards and 3 TDs, while playing through a fracture in his back. He was placed on IR with a torn ACL.
• S Rodney McLeod (IR): McLeod is done for the season after tearing his MCL during the Eagles' win over the Indianapolis Colts. On the season, he had 10 tackles and four pass breakups, which doesn't properly convey the positive contributions he made in the first three games. McLeod's was replaced initially by Corey Graham, and later Avonte Maddox.
• DT Timmy Jernigan (NFI): Jernigan started the season on the NFI list, which is essentially an extension of the PUP list, meaning he was required to be out for at least the first six weeks of the season, though it has already extended beyond that. Jernigan was very productive early in the season last year, but his play tailed off a bit down the stretch. He has been replaced in the lineup by a whole bunch of bodies who, on the whole, have not produced.
Jernigan began practicing last week, but he remains on NFI.
• WR Mike Wallace (IR): Wallace, formerly the Eagles' No. 2 receiver, broke his fibula against the Buccaneers. He'll be out at least 8 weeks on injured reserve, though Doug Pederson noted that it may not be a season-ending injury.
• WR Mack Hollins (IR): The Eagles will also be without their No. 4 receiver, as the Eagles placed Hollins on IR with a groin injury.
• ST Chris Maragos (PUP): Maragos is still recovering from a serious knee injury suffered Week 6 last year against the Carolina Panthers. He started the season on PUP, so he'll miss at least the first six games. Like Jernigan, Maragos was not ready at the conclusion of those six weeks.
• TE Josh Perkins (IR): Perkins is done for the season with a knee injury. The Eagles activated Richard Rodgers off of IR to replace him.
• LT Terron Armstead: Armstead is a stud left tackle, and he is expected to be out 3-4 weeks, beginning with the Eagles this Sunday. He'll likely be replaced in the lineup by Jermon Bushrod.
• DE Marcus Davenport: Davenport is also expected to miss about a month with a toe injury. The Saints gave up a lot to move up and select Davenport in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has paid off, collecting 4 sacks in his first 7 games as a pro.
The rest:
• CB Patrick Robinson: Robinson signed with the Saints in free agency after his stellar year as the Eagles' slot corner. He had surgery to repair a broken ankle, and is done for the season.
• WR Dez Bryant: Bryant signed with the Saints, and almost immediately tore his Achilles. He's done for the season.
• WR Ted Ginn: In four games, Ginn had 12 catches for 135 yards and 2 TDs. He went on IR with a knee injury, but could return at some point this season.
• DT Jay Bromley: Rotational DT who went on IR after appearing in two games.
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