Eagles Injury Report: Derek Barnett, Miles Sanders, Two Players Questionable
On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles released their latest Injury Report and there are only two players listed as Questionable:
Despite being Full Participants at practice, Defensive Ends Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham are listed as Questionable. Graham is looking to return from suffering a Concussion in Week One while Barnett has been dealing with a Hamstring issue. The good news for the Eagles Defense is Javon Hargrave is on track to return for Week Two after missing the last few weeks of practices with a Pectoral Injury.
Doug Pederson was asked by the media if he expects both Barnett and Miles Sanders to play this week, who has also been listed on the Injury Report with a Hamstring issue:
I'm optimistic with both of those players. Obviously today is a big day for both of them, hopefully to get through a Friday practice and then again, we'll see how they bounce back tomorrow and of course Sunday morning.
So I'm optimistic that both guys will be available for the game Sunday, yes.
Miles Sanders, who was Eight in the NFL in All-Purpose Yards last season, was definitely missed last week for the Eagles Offense with Boston Scott and Corey Clement not having an impact of the game as the team's play calling abandoned the Run Game in the Second Half. Sanders spoke to the media today about his status for Sunday's matchup with the Rams:
One final note from the Friday Injury Report was Alshon Jeffery again Did Not Participate (DNP) at Eagles Pratctice which means another week for the Eagles Offense without their top Possession Receiver. JJ Arcega-White, the one Wide Receiver on the Eagles roster most similar to Jeffery, only played 41.18% of Offensive Snaps in Week One. Doug Pederson was asked about JJAW's role in the Offense on Friday:
Well, he's always involved and he's going to continue to have targets each and every week. It was unfortunate the touchdown to [TE] Zach Ertz was actually targeted to J.J., and the defense defended it, so we had to go somewhere else with the football. That's just what happens in the course of a play and we target certain guys, but if that guy is not available, we have to reload and go somewhere else with the football.
So he continues to be a part of the game plan. His role will increase I think each and every week and he's done an outstanding job for us. We've asked him to do some things even in the run game as far as a blocker and he's really taken on that role, and even on special teams, he's approached everything a lot differently this year, which is positive because he's prideful and he wants to play, and so we're doing everything we can to make sure he's on the field.