Injury Report: Eagles’ Hoping to Have Zach Ertz, Johnson “Iffy” for Sunday
The Eagles open the playoffs with a rematch against Seattle, the two teams last meet in Week 12, a Seahawks 17-9 victory.
Both teams have been hit hard by the injury bug this season.
Philadelphia is down seven starters from the team that opened the season against Washington, including its top three wide receivers and a number of other key players have missed time in recent weeks and are banged up heading into Sunday’s contest.
Tight End Zach Ertz fractured his rib during the teams Week 17 win against the New York Giants and has not been cleared for contact since. There have also been reports that he suffered a lacerated kidney, but he was listed as questionable and a limited participant in practice all week.
"Zach, waiting on -- still not cleared for any contact," Doug Pederson explained on Friday. "He will work a little bit on the side again like he's done this week and stuff like that, but we're waiting on a few doctor results tomorrow. If things go favorable, he'll play; if they don't, he won't."
With that said during Pederson afternoon press conference, NBC Philly's John Clark reports there is optimism that Ertz can play, barring any surprises.
He had 12 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting.
Right tackle Lane Johnson has missed the past two games with a ankle injury. He is recovering and listed as questionable, after missing practice on Friday. Halapoulivaati Vaitai will likely get the start against the Seahawks in his place with Matt Pryor starting at right guard for Brandon Brooks, who is done for the season. If Johnson can play, Vaitai would move to right guard.
"Lane is still working," admitted Pederson. " I’ll tell you what, he's a tough guy. He really wants to play in this football game. We're going to find out more today and see where he is at at the end of the day before we put out a report, but he's working to try to play in this football game."
According to Clark, Johnson is "iffy" for the game due to his high ankle sprain.
The Seahawks are without their top three running backs. Starting left tackle Duane Brown is unlikely to play and starting left guard Mike Iupati is a game-time decision. Starting linebacker Mychal Kendricks is also out for Sunday's game. Meanwhile, safety Quandre Diggs injured his ankle Week 15 and has not played since and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has battled a core injury since Week 10, both are expected to return but might not be at 100-percent.
The Eagles will face the Seahawks in Philadelphia at 4:40 p.m. Sunday on 97.3 ESPN. The Countdown to Kick-Off Show with Tony Bruno show begins at 1pm live from Tollman Joe's in South Philadelphia.