The first Eagles injury report of Week 3 looks crowded, especially on offense, but it’s not time to hit the alarm just yet.
Philadelphia listed nine players overall, with four not practicing, four limited, and one full participant. On the offensive side, Tank Bisby, Dallas Goedert, Will Shipley and DeVonta Smith all sat out, while Saquon Barkley was limited. Tyler Steen was the lone full participant.
The running back situation jumps off the page first. Seeing all three backs on the report is not ideal, and two of them - Bisby and Shipley - did not practice.
Barkley, though, is the encouraging name there. He picked up a stinger on the first play of the 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans and briefly tried to return before leaving again, but his limited session suggests he’s not in the kind of trouble that would have people panicking about his availability.
Smith’s absence is also worth watching, but it may be more precaution than anything else. His hamstring issue from training camp has shown up again, and the most likely read is that the Eagles are simply giving him a lighter day. If he pops back up on the next report as limited, that would fit the pattern.
Goedert, meanwhile, is exactly the kind of absence the Eagles were expecting. He’s projected to miss a few weeks, though not enough to land on injured reserve, and the team already moved to address that by signing Zach Ertz, who is now working his way into practice as the replacement.
Steen’s shoulder is the newest name on the list, but it doesn’t appear to be a major concern since he still managed a full practice.
On the other side of the ball, Jalen Carter continues to work through a wrist injury, but it hasn’t stopped him from wrecking plays up front. Jonathan Greenard was back on the field again with his pectoral issue, though defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s comments make it sound like he still has a way to go before he’s making a real impact.
Andrew Mukuba’s knee is a little more troubling, especially after a rough Week 2 against the Titans, even if he’s still likely to play. The Eagles also brought in Kenny Moore, who could be more of a help for Marcus Epps than for Mukuba.
The bigger picture here is simple: the first injury report can be noisy. Veterans get rest, teams stay cautious, and not every DNP means a player is in danger of missing the game. The second report is where the real temperature check happens, especially if someone sits out again.
Philadelphia also gets a break that matters. The Eagles play the Chicago Bears on Monday night, which gives them an extra day to recover and get bodies right before kickoff.
So for now, the message is pretty clear: keep an eye on the next report, but don’t go full panic mode yet.
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DeVonta Smith Just Gave The Eagles A New Offensive Worry
DeVonta Smiths status is suddenly something the Eagles have to monitor closely, with the wideout missing Thursdays practice because of a hamstring injury. Its a familiar concern for Philadelphia after Smith dealt with a hamstring issue earlier in training camp, and the timing matters with another game coming up against the Bears.
Smith was a key part of the offense in the win over Tennessee, so any setback there carries real weight for the Eagles passing game. If he cannot go, the offense may need to lean more heavily on Dontayvion Wicks, who would be in line for a bigger workload depending on how the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
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For a team that has long valued tight end play, bringing Ertz back is about more than nostalgia. His willingness to help Stowers develop suggests the Eagles see a real long-term role for the young player, and they are giving him a chance to learn before he ever gets on the field. For now, the intrigue is in how much growth Philadelphia can unlock once Stowers is healthy enough to join the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Found A Legal Kickoff Edge The NFL May Not Ignore
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Around the league, though, the move has already started to draw attention, with other teams studying whether the setup should remain legal as is. Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has also weighed in, and special teams coordinators are set to meet before the Eagles and Bears play, a sign this is becoming more than just a quirky Philadelphia adjustment. [Read more 🡒]