Eagles-Commanders Injury Report Puts More Focus on Philly Defense

This Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Washington for a rematch with their NFC East divisional rivals as the Commanders gave them a serious test a couple weeks ago when they first played.  Many people will be watching the Eagles' defense closely after the team acquired All-Pro Safety Kevin Byard and he will be making his debut.  But after Friday's Injury Report, there is now another reason to keep an eye on the Philadelphia defense this Sunday.

The Eagles have announced that only one player has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Washington as Cornerback Bradley Roby will miss his second straight game with a Shoulder Injury.  Roby was signed a few weeks ago after the team struggled to find an in-house replacement for the injured Avonte Maddox to play the Nickel Corner position.

Now with Roby missing his second straight game, it will be interesting to see what Philadelphia does against a Washington team that has already played against Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai's unit this season.  Last week, the Eagles called up Mehki Garner from the Practice Squad and he split time with Josiah Scott along with Eli Ricks as the team's third Cornerback on defense.  It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia goes with the same strategy this Sunday or calls up someone else from the Practice Squad instead of Garner.

The interesting name on Friday's Injury Report is Defensive Tackle Jordan Davis, listed as Questionable with a Hamstring Issue.  Davis was a Limited Participant at Thursday's Practice and did not practice on Friday, meaning he has a 50-50 chance to play this Sunday.  Considering the Washington Commanders' Offensive Line has allowed the Most Quarterback Sacks in the NFL this season (40) and their offense has one of the worst Rushing Attacks in the league (26th in Rushing Yards), I say let Davis take this weekend off.  The Eagles need Davis healthy for next weekend's showdown with the Dallas Cowboys who have the 5th best-scoring offense in the NFL.

The Washington Commanders will be short-handed against the Eagles this Sunday after they ruled out starting Left Guard Saahdiq Charles and Linebacker Cody Barton.  Charles re-aggravated a Calf Injury in this past Sunday's loss to the Giants that he dealt with back in August's Training Camp.  The Commanders Offensive Line has already struggled this season to protect their Quarterback Sam Howell and now without Charles, the Eagles should be able to take advantage of Washington's biggest weakness on Offense.

Cody Barton is the top Linebacker for the Commanders and has played the fourth most snaps for their defense this season.  Washington's Defense has allowed the fourth most Total Yards in the NFL this season and even though they only lost 14-7 last weekend, this year they are allowing 27.1 Points Per Game.  Without Barton, the Commanders will be more vulnerable against an Eagles Offense that is top five in the NFL in Points Per Game (26.6) and Total Yards Gained (2,725).