October 09, 2015

Eagles-Saints injury report, with analysis

By Jimmy Kempski
PhillyVoice Staff

Matt Rourke/AP

Uh oh. Chip is going to be making catty remarks this offseason again about Mychal Kendricks missing games.

The Eagles remain very banged-up, particularly on the worst performing unit on the team, the offensive line. Here's a look at the Eagles' and Saints' injuries, with analysis.

OUT

• ILB Kiko Alonso (knee): As we noted earlier in the week, Alonso will be out for about a month. The Eagles have gotten fantastic play out of rookie ILB Jordan Hicks in Alonso's absence.

• ILB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring): With Kendricks and Alonso out, as noted, the Eagles are in capable hands with DeMeco Ryans and Jordan Hicks in reserve. Kendricks was questionable this time last week. No word if he suffered a setback.

• DE Brandon Bair (groin): Bair has played well in a reserve role for the Eagles. He goes out just as Taylor Hart is getting healthy (or healthier than he was, anyway).

QUESTIONABLE

• OT Jason Peters (quad): The Eagles are in huge trouble along their OL if Peters cannot go. They'd be fielding an offensive line that would include Matt Tobin, Allen Barbre, and Dennis Kelly.

PROBABLE

• OT Lane Johnson (knee): It's great news for the Eagles that Johnson is listed as probable, which means he will likely be a go, which was expected.

• CB Byron Maxwell (quad): The Redskins tried to attack Eric Rowe once Maxwell left the game last week. While Maxwell has not performed up to his contract, and while Rowe has shown real flashes of talent, the Eagles need Maxwell, and he will likely play.

• DE Cedric Thornton (hand): Thornton had a broken bone in his hand, and missed two games. He is a quality starter and very good run stuffer. It appears that he will make his return against the Saints.

• LG Allen Barbre (groin): So I guess Jason Kelce is the only Eagles Week 1 OL starter not dinged up.

• DE Taylor Hart (shoulder): The Eagles should actually rotate Hart and Bair like this all season, even when neither of them are banged up.

• S Chris Maragos (quad): Maragos has been the Eagles' "nickel safety," as he has entered the game in the Eagles' nickel package, taking over for Malcolm Jenkins, who becomes the nickel corner. The Eagles have put Maragos in a position not to fail by often parking him far off the line of scrimmage in nickel sets. With Maragos out, the Eagles left Jenkins at safety, and brought in E.J. Biggers in a nickel role, with Eric Rowe entering the game as the dime. This will be his first game back. It will be interesting to see is he resumes his nickel role, or if they like what they've seen from Biggers and Rowe.