The Eagles will head into Week 3 against the Chicago Bears with DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley available, but Philadelphia still has three players ruled out and Jonathan Greenard sitting in questionable territory with a pectoral injury.
Among the unavailable players are Hollywood Brown, Dallas Goedert and Fred Johnson. Brown is out with an ankle injury, Goedert with a knee injury, and Johnson because of a knee issue as well.
That means Philadelphia’s offense will have to adjust in a few spots. Goedert’s absence was expected, but it still leaves a hole at tight end. Zach Ertz is expected to step in, while Johnny Mundt could get the start and see work there too.
Brown being sidelined also appears to clear a path for Elijah Moore to be active for the first time this season. Jalen Hurts and Moore showed good chemistry during training camp, so that connection could come into play if Moore is indeed up.
The biggest positive news for the Eagles is Smith. There was some concern because he did not work out as much during the week, but he is good to go.
Barkley is also ready, which had already been expected. His status matters in a backfield where Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby are also listed and should be available.
That group gives Philly flexibility, and the expectation is that the backs will rotate throughout the game to help keep everyone fresh.
Greenard remains the other headline name. He has been ruled out the last two weeks, and this is another step closer to his Eagles debut. Philadelphia would love to finally get him on the field.
There are also a few injury situations worth keeping an eye on. Jalen Carter and Andrew Mukuba were both noticably a bit off their games last week while dealing with the same injuries, and the hope is that the extra day of rest helps them improve.
Tyler Steen is also expected to play, but he clearly is not at full strength. That matters because the Eagles are already juggling Cam Jurgens and Drew Kendall in off-position roles up front, so Steen’s shoulder issue could have a real effect.
Here’s the full Week 3 injury report for Philadelphia:
Hollywood Brown, WR - Ankle - Out
Dallas Goedert, TE - Knee - Out
Fred Johnson, OT - Knee - Out
Will Shipley, RB - Foot -
Saquon Barkley, RB - Stinger -
Tank Bigsby, RB - Abdomen -
Jalen Carter, DT - Wrist -
Jonathan Greenard, EDGE - Pectoral - Questionable
Andrew Mukuba, S - Knee -
DeVonta Smith, WR - Hamstring -
Tyler Steen, OL - Shoulder -
With the Bears coming up, the Eagles are now focused on getting healthy and sorting through the pieces they do have available. Even with Smith and Barkley set to play, the injuries leave plenty to watch when Week 3 kicks off.
In Other News...
Eagles Suddenly Face A Tougher Week 3 Question Than Expected
The Eagles went into the week expecting a clearer read on Chicagos quarterback situation, but the Bears now appear likely to be without Caleb Williams because of a hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent has cleared concussion protocol and could return to practice, which at least gives Chicago another option as it sorts through the position for Week 3.
Ben Johnson confirmed Bagents clearance, a positive development for a Bears team still trying to stabilize under center. Case Keenum could still end up starting, so Philadelphia may have to prepare for more than one possibility even as the matchup looks different than it did when the schedule first pointed to Williams. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Week 3 WR Question Fans Did Not Expect
The Eagles entered the week expecting to sort through a familiar set of early-season injury concerns, but the wide receiver picture took an unexpected turn when Hollywood Brown was added late to the injury report with a knee issue and sat out a practice. For a team still trying to settle its passing-game rotation, the timing matters, especially with a game coming up and the depth chart suddenly looking a little thinner than it did a day earlier.
If Brown is unable to go, Elijah Moore could become part of the conversation in a bigger way. The offseason addition has not played in the first two games, but the Eagles may turn to him for specific offensive packages or even special teams work if they need another receiver available, giving him a chance to finally enter the mix at a moment when the team did not seem to be planning for one. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Defense Suddenly Faces A Bigger Bears Problem Than Quarterback
The Bears quarterback picture has been murky all week, and that has kept a little extra attention on Chicagos visit to Philadelphia. Backup Tyson Bagent was back at practice after reportedly clearing concussion protocol, according to head coach Ben Johnson, after sitting out earlier in the week and fueling speculation that Case Keenum might get the nod if Caleb Williams remains sidelined.
For the Eagles, the bigger issue is not simply who lines up under center, but how much the uncertainty changes the shape of the game. The betting line has already moved as Bagents status has swung back and forth, and Philadelphias defense now has to prepare for a matchup that could still tilt depending on whether the Bears are dealing with one backup quarterback, another, or more late-week confusion. [Read more 🡒]