Eagles get Good News on Ronald Darby

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles got the best news possible when it came to cornerback Ronald Darby on Monday morning.

An MRI revealed that the Eagles' No. 1 cornerback suffered a clean dislocation with no ligament or tendon damage, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. That turns a potential season-ending injury into a more manageable scenario of four to six weeks, the latter being the more likely path.

Doug Pederson refused to confirm the report claiming the Eagles are gathering more information before making a decision.

“This is something – we’re going to gather a little more information on this, talking with our doctors and [head trainer Chris] Peduzzi," the coach said. "We need to get some more information on it before making a full statement.”

An NFL source says the Eagles are sending the results of the MRI to Charlotte-based specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, the go-to-guy in professional sports when it comes to foot and ankle injuries.

If Anderson agrees with the original diagnosis, the four-to-six week timetable will be in play.

Either way, Darby is out for the foreseeable future and Pederson mentioned rookie third-round pick Rasul Douglas as a player that will need to step up in upcoming weeks. Douglas did not dress against the Redskins in the 30-17 season-opening win.

Darby played 18 snaps before hurting the ankle and flashed the kind of skills that precipitated Philadelphia giving up Jordan Matthews and a third-round pick for the third-year corner.

After he exited the Eagles uses a number of ways to muddle through the 30-17 win, moving nickel back Patrick Robinson outside at times before bringing in corner turned safety back into corner Jaylen Watkins. When Robinson was outside, Malcolm Jenkins worked in the slot and Corey Graham rotated in at safety.

When all was said and done Robinson played in 83 percent of the defensive snaps (52 out of 63), while Graham played in 29 percent (18) and Watkins 24 percent (15).

Pederson indicated Monday that he would like to keep Robinson in the slot if possible because he has gotten comfortable there.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Robinson was the Eagles' third best defender on Sunday grading behind only star defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox.

In other injury news kicker Caleb Sturgis appeared to have suffered a hip injury on a kickoff late in the fourth quarter and was unable to attempt the extra point following Fletcher Cox’s game-sealing touchdown, which is why Philadelphia went for two.

Sturgis was out for the ensuing kickoff but pooched it and Pederson confirmed that the Eagles would be working out kickers this week in case Sturgis can't go in Kansas City.

And that's likely the case as Sturgis is expected to miss multiple weeks with what is being described as a hip-flexor issue or a quad strain in his plant leg.

“Caleb is in the same [boat] with Ronald,” Pederson said. “We’re going to get some more information on him before we make a full statement.”

As for left tackle Jason Peters, who suffered a groin injury against the Redskins and missed all but one play in the second half, he is considered day-to-day and is expected to play against Andy Reid and the Chiefs.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen