DeVonta Smith is set to go, Jonathan Greenard is trending the right way, and the Eagles head into Monday night with a final injury report that clears up plenty while still leaving a few key names in question.
Philadelphia officially ruled out three players for the Week 3 matchup with the Bears: Dallas Goedert, Hollywood Brown, and Fred Johnson. Goedert’s knee injury is expected to cost him multiple games, and the Eagles are expected to temporarily elevate Zach Ertz from the practice squad before Monday at 4:00 PM Eastern to help cover the absence.
That would leave Ertz, Johnny Mundt, and E.J. Jenkins as the tight end group against Chicago.
After returning to Philadelphia earlier this week, Ertz’s role will be worth watching.
Brown, who was a surprise addition to the report Friday with an ankle issue, also missed Saturday’s practice. With him sidelined, Elijah Moore could be active for the first time this season.
Fred Johnson is the other fresh injury note. The veteran blocker sat out Saturday with a knee injury, which points to rookie Markel Bell handling swing tackle duties behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Bell may have already been the top backup in that spot anyway.
The only Eagles player listed as questionable is Jonathan Greenard. That’s a step forward after he was ruled out for the first two games, and he took part fully on Saturday.
Greenard said he feels “ pretty optimistic ” about his chances to play. Even if he’s active, Vic Fangio said he isn’t ready for a normal snap load yet.
Still, getting him into the mix alongside Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, and A.J. Epenesa could give Philadelphia’s pass rush the jolt it needs.
A handful of other Eagles are off the status report entirely, which means they’re expected to play. Saquon Barkley went from limited Thursday to full participation Friday and Saturday after dealing with a stinger in Week 2.
Smith followed a similar path, going full on Saturday after being limited Friday and not practicing Thursday. Jalen Carter also worked through the week and will keep playing with a cast on his hand because of a wrist injury.
Andrew Mukuba is set to start after full participation over the last two days, and Tyler Steen was a full participant all week.
Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are also on track to play, though Shipley may not be at 100 percent. Bigsby didn’t practice Thursday before moving to limited Friday and full Saturday. Shipley missed Thursday, then was limited Friday and Saturday.
On the Chicago side, the Bears ruled out starting quarterback Caleb Williams, linebacker Noah Sewell, and defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in the Week 2 loss to Minnesota and did not practice all week. Sewell and Turner remain ineligible to come off injured reserve until after Week 4.
Tyson Bagent is questionable after being a full participant on Saturday, his first practice action since missing the previous two days. He has not officially cleared concussion protocol, but Chicago appears to have a real chance to have him available Monday night. If he can’t go, the Bears would be down to Case Keenum at quarterback.
The Bears did not give starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson a game status. He opened the week as a non-participant Thursday, then was limited Friday and full on Saturday. Kicker Cairo Santos is also expected to play after finishing the week as a full participant.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (SATURDAY)
OUT
WR Hollywood Brown (ankle)
TE Dallas Goedert (knee)
OT Fred Johnson (knee)
QUESTIONABLE
EDGE Jonathan Greenard (pectoral)
RESERVE/INJURED
CB Jakorian Bennett
TE Grant Calcaterra
OG Landon Dickerson
S Andre’ Sam
TE Eli Stowers
WR Johnny Wilson
CHICAGO BEARS INJURY REPORT (SATURDAY)
OUT
QB Caleb Williams (hamstring)
LB Noah Sewell
DL Shemar Turner
QUESTIONABLE
QB Tyson Bagent (concussion)
RESERVE/INJURED
RB Brittain Brown
DB Coby Bryant
S Tony Fields II
TE Nikola Kalinic
TE Hayden Large
LB Nephi Sewell
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 🡒]