The Eagles’ Week 5 inactive list brought the expected bad news on Jonathan Greenard, and then a few more familiar names followed him off the field.
Philadelphia officially ruled Greenard out for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after he missed practice all week with an ankle injury. The team gave him a pregame workout Sunday morning, but it wasn’t enough to get him cleared.
Greenard has been available in just two of the Eagles’ first five games this season, and now Philadelphia will move forward with Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa as its four edge defenders.
Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Drew Kendall, Marcus Epps and Hollywood Brown were also listed as out on the final injury report.
Barkley’s absence leaves the Eagles with Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele as the active backs. Shipley is the likeliest player to handle the bulk of the work, while Pierce could have a role if the Eagles want a little more burst. Steele, at least on paper, doesn’t appear headed for much volume.
At receiver, Philadelphia is down Smith and Brown, which means the active group is Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore and Britain Covey.
Kendall being unavailable pushes Jake Majors into the starting center job after being called up from the practice squad. It’s his first NFL regular season game and his first career start.
The Eagles will also turn to Michael Carter II for Epps’ spot at safety in nickel looks when Cooper DeJean moves into the slot.
John Ojukwu is active as well, and it marks his Eagles regular season debut after being temporarily elevated from the practice squad for the game.
Cole Payton is up for the first time in his career. He would normally be the emergency third quarterback, but Philadelphia had enough players ruled out that it can keep him active instead. If he doesn’t get on the field on special teams, he’ll be the third QB option behind Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee now that Andy Dalton is gone.
Jacksonville’s inactive list came with no real surprises. Depth corner Jaylon Jones had already been ruled out on the final injury report, and starting safety Eric Murray was doubtful heading into the game.
The Jaguars’ inactive list: CJ Williams, Alijah Huzzie, Eric Murray, Jaylon Jones, Daniel Faalele, Wesley Williams and Albert Regis.
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