Eagles vs. Raiders Week 15 Injury Report Breakdown: Key Absences, Key Opportunities
As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Friday’s final injury report paints a clear picture of who’s in, who’s out, and who’s on the bubble. And while both teams are dealing with some notable absences, the matchups created by these injuries could end up being just as important as the names on the list.
Eagles Rule Out Two Key Starters: Jalen Carter and Lane Johnson
Let’s start in the trenches, where the Eagles will once again be without defensive tackle Jalen Carter and right tackle Lane Johnson. Carter is set to miss his second consecutive game, and while that’s a blow to Philly’s interior pass rush, the Eagles have depth and versatility to lean on.
Expect to see a steady rotation of Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Bryon Young, and Brandon Graham taking more snaps inside. Rookie Ty Robinson is also in the mix.
Last week, this group took advantage of a struggling Chargers offensive line. And with the Raiders’ O-line ranking near the bottom of the league in pass protection, the Eagles’ front still has a chance to make life difficult for Kenny Pickett on Sunday.
On the offensive side, Lane Johnson’s absence looms large. He didn’t practice all week, and while there was some early hope he might suit up, the fact that Philly didn’t place him on IR initially now looks more like optimism than expectation. His next shot at returning is Week 16.
In Johnson’s place, Fred Johnson will get the start at right tackle. He was a full participant on Friday after popping up on Thursday’s injury report with an ankle issue.
That’s good news, because he’s got a tall task ahead: slowing down Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. It’s a big moment for Fred, and how he holds up could swing the tone of the Eagles’ offensive game plan.
Cameron Williams Listed as Questionable
Rookie offensive tackle Cameron Williams is officially listed as questionable. The Eagles opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week, and he’s been a full participant the last two days.
That’s a positive sign, but the team may opt to hold him out one more week rather than rush him back. They have until Saturday at 4 p.m.
ET to activate him for the game.
Other Eagles Injury Notes
A few other names appeared on the injury report this week, but all signs point to them being ready to go:
- Landon Dickerson took a rest day Thursday but was back in full on Friday.
- Zack Baun practiced in full throughout the week.
- Charley Hughlett was officially activated from injured reserve and will resume duties as the team’s long snapper. Cal Adomitis, who had temporarily filled that role, was waived and went unclaimed.
Eagles Reserve/Injured List Updates
The Eagles' IR list remains extensive, with several key contributors done for the season:
- Willie Lampkin and Myles Hinton had their practice windows opened earlier but weren’t activated in time, ending their seasons.
- Andrew Mukuba is eligible to return after Week 16, but his status remains uncertain.
- Azeez Ojulari is eligible to return now, though no move has been made yet.
- Ben VanSumeren, Johnny Wilson, and Ogbo Okoronkwo are confirmed out for the year.
Raiders’ Injury Report: Geno Smith, Kolton Miller, and Alex Bachman Out
The Raiders are dealing with their own injury challenges, and they’re significant.
Quarterback Geno Smith is out with shoulder and back injuries, which means former Eagles Super Bowl LIX champion Kenny Pickett gets the start against his old team. Pickett knows the defense, but Vic Fangio’s unit should have the upper hand here-especially if the Eagles’ front can exploit the Raiders' patchwork offensive line.
Speaking of that line, left tackle Kolton Miller is also out, which means Stone Forsythe will start again. Forsythe has struggled all season, allowing more sacks than any other tackle in the league. That’s a matchup the Eagles’ edge rushers have to be licking their chops over.
Wide receiver Alex Bachman is also out. He’s been the Raiders’ main punt returner this year, so special teams could be an area of vulnerability for Las Vegas on Sunday.
Raiders List Three as Questionable
Three Raiders players are questionable heading into Sunday:
- Jeremy Chinn (back): The starting nickel corner was limited in practice the last two days after missing Wednesday.
- Jordan Meredith (foot): The starting center was a full participant all week, so he’s trending toward playing.
- Ian Thomas (calf): The third tight end improved throughout the week and could be available if needed.
Raiders Reserve/Injured List Notes
The Raiders also placed Kyu Blu Kelly on IR following their Week 14 game. Kolton Miller has a practice window open but hasn’t been activated yet. Other names on IR include Brennan Jackson, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Amari Cooper.
What It All Means for Sunday
Both teams are banged up, but the Eagles appear better positioned to weather the storm. They’ve got depth on the defensive line and enough offensive firepower to work around Lane Johnson’s absence-though Maxx Crosby will test that theory.
For the Raiders, missing their starting quarterback and left tackle is a tough combo to overcome, especially against a defense that can bring pressure from multiple angles. The Eagles have to take advantage of that and set the tone early.
With playoff implications hanging in the balance, Sunday’s matchup isn’t just about who’s missing-it’s about who steps up.