Eagles Injury Report: Key Starters Sidelined Ahead of Monday Night Clash with Chargers
PHILADELPHIA - With Monday night’s primetime showdown against the Chargers looming, the Eagles hit the practice field Friday afternoon in South Philly - but they were missing some major pieces.
Let’s start with the defensive front. Jalen Carter, the disruptive force in the middle of Philly’s defensive line, was absent again and won’t suit up for Week 14.
Carter underwent a shoulder procedure earlier this week and is now considered week-to-week. That’s a big blow for a defense that leans heavily on its interior pressure to collapse pockets and disrupt timing - especially against a quarterback like Justin Herbert, who thrives when given space to operate.
On the offensive side, the line wasn’t at full strength either. Right tackle Lane Johnson, the perennial All-Pro and one of the most reliable anchors in the league, remained sidelined with a foot injury.
Johnson’s absence always looms large. He’s the kind of player whose presence doesn’t just stabilize the line - it elevates the entire offense.
If he’s out Monday, expect the Chargers' pass rush to try and capitalize off the edge.
There was also a bit of intrigue at left guard. Landon Dickerson didn’t appear during the portion of practice open to the media, despite not being listed on Thursday’s injury report.
Veteran Brett Toth filled in with the first team. Early word is that Dickerson is likely just getting a veteran rest day - nothing injury-related - but we’ll know more once the official report drops later today.
Here’s what we do know from Thursday’s injury report:
Did Not Practice:
- DT Jalen Carter (shoulders)
- RT Lane Johnson (foot)
Limited Participants:
- LB Zack Baun (hand)
- WR Jahan Dotson (toe)
- WR Xavier Gipson (shoulder)
- OLB Jaelan Phillips (concussion)
Full Participants:
- S Marcus Epps (shoulder)
- T Myles Hinton (back)
One interesting wrinkle in Friday’s session: the usual setup during special teams drills was switched up. Typically, the near practice field is where punt returners and corners like Quinyon Mitchell and Adoree’ Jackson get their reps in with DBs coach Christian Parker.
But this time, it was the quarterbacks - led by Jalen Hurts and position coach Scot Loeffler - occupying that space. Mitchell, Jackson, and Parker worked elsewhere on the field.
It’s a small change, but it could hint at some subtle adjustments in the practice flow as the Eagles gear up for a West Coast trip.
Practice Squad Shuffle: Titus Leo Returns (Again)
The Eagles also made a familiar move on Thursday afternoon, re-signing defensive end Titus Leo to the practice squad. If that name sounds familiar, it should - this is Leo’s third stint with the team this season, having previously been signed on October 15 and November 13.
Leo, 26, was a sixth-round pick by the Colts in 2023 and made history as just the fourth player ever drafted out of Wagner College in Staten Island. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he brings a blend of speed and edge versatility, though he’s bounced around quite a bit in his young career. The Eagles are now his fifth NFL stop, and he logged four games last season with the Patriots.
While Leo’s signing doesn’t shift the needle in the short term, it does give Philly another developmental body on the edge - and with the physical toll of the season mounting, depth at defensive end is never a bad thing.
What’s Next
All eyes now turn to the official injury report due out later today, which should offer more clarity on Dickerson’s status and any updates on limited participants. With the Chargers looming on Monday night, the Eagles will need to rely on their depth - and their stars who are healthy - to keep pace in a tight NFC playoff race.