As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for a pivotal Week 17 road clash against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday's injury report offered a clearer-though still unofficial-picture of where things stand on both sides. With walkthroughs replacing full practices this late in the season, these reports are estimates, but they still give us a strong sense of who’s trending in the right direction… and who might be on the shelf come Sunday.
Eagles Dealing with Key Absences
Philadelphia listed four players as Did Not Participate (DNP) on Thursday: right tackle Lane Johnson, wide receiver A.J. Brown, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and guard Landon Dickerson.
Let’s start with Johnson. The veteran lineman continues to sit with a foot injury, and it’s looking increasingly likely he’ll miss another start.
The Eagles appear to be playing the long game here-preserving one of their most important players for January rather than rushing him back in December. His absence will be felt, especially against a Bills front that can bring pressure from multiple angles.
A.J. Brown was also held out for the second day in a row, though his situation seems less concerning.
He’s recovering from an oral procedure, and while he’s not on the field yet, there’s no strong indication that he’ll miss Sunday’s game. If he’s good to go, that’s a huge boost for an Eagles offense that thrives when Brown is drawing coverage and creating space for others.
Nakobe Dean, on the other hand, looks like a long shot to play. He’s battling a hamstring injury, and the expectation is that rookie Jihaad Campbell will step into the starting role. Campbell’s already been seeing increased snaps, and Sunday could be a big test for the young linebacker against a Bills offense that loves to exploit the middle of the field.
Landon Dickerson is listed with an illness, but unless it lingers into the weekend, he’s expected to suit up.
Seven Eagles Cleared for Full Participation
On the positive side, seven players were listed as full participants for the second straight day: defensive tackle Jalen Carter, wide receiver DeVonta Smith, linebackers Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell, offensive tackles Fred Johnson and Cameron Williams, and tight end Cameron Latu.
That’s a promising sign for a team that’s been banged up late in the year. Carter, in particular, is a key cog in the defensive front. His ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt the run game will be crucial against Buffalo’s balanced offensive attack.
DeVonta Smith, who had been dealing with an illness, is back to full strength. His chemistry with Jalen Hurts has been a steadying force for the offense, especially in tight games.
Bills’ Injury Report: Mixed Bag, But Allen Trending Up
Buffalo also held a walkthrough, so their report is similarly estimated. The headline here is that star defensive end Joey Bosa was upgraded from DNP to limited, which suggests he’s on track to play. That’s a big development for a Bills defense that thrives on edge pressure.
Quarterback Josh Allen remains listed as limited with a foot issue, but all signs continue to point toward him playing. Allen’s mobility is a huge part of what makes him dangerous, so even a slight limitation could impact Buffalo’s game plan. Still, barring a setback, expect No. 17 under center on Sunday.
The Bills still have a lengthy DNP list, including key contributors like tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips, safety Jordan Poyer, and kicker Matt Prater. That’s a lot of talent potentially sidelined, especially in the middle of the field and special teams.
Cornerback Taron Johnson, defensive back Cam Lewis, and linebacker Shaq Thompson were all limited, while safety Cole Bishop and running back Ray Davis were listed as full participants.
What It All Means
With playoff implications on the line, both teams are managing injuries carefully. For the Eagles, the focus seems to be on getting to January as healthy as possible, even if that means holding back stars like Lane Johnson. For the Bills, they’re trying to get their key pieces back just in time for a late-season push.
Friday’s final injury report will give us the last official word before kickoff, but for now, both teams are balancing caution with urgency. And with two playoff-caliber squads meeting in Week 17, every name on that list could swing the outcome.