Eagles news roundup: Injury report, fines and acknowledging greatness

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The Eagles are making their final preparations for a showdown with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend and even though it was a relatively quiet day in terms of headlines, there was still plenty being discussed that could significantly impact this weekend’s game. But don’t worry if you’ve missed anything..we’ve got you covered!

Injury report:
The Eagles released their midweek injury report today, which bought with it a couple of surprises.

The first being that wide receiver Jordan Matthews didn’t practice today due to back spasms. It’s currently unknown what his status will be for Sunday, but needless to say a less than 100% Jordan Matthews or an absent one will be a huge loss for the Eagles Offense against the league’s ninth ranked Defense.

Nolan Carroll was out with concussion protocol and Terrence Brooks missed practice due to battling a hamstring injury. The Eagles Secondary is already light on depth, but the good news is that Leodis McKelvin was a full participant in practice today..as was Left Guard Allen Barbre who will resume his starting role this weekend.

Perhaps most interestingly, Zach Ertz was limited today, also suffering from a hamstring problem. It’s unlikely that Ertz will miss Sunday’s game, however it’s definitely something worth keeping an eye on.

 

Fines:
Eagles Linebacker Najee Goode has reportedly been fined $10k for his late hit against the Falcons, but will be appealing the ruling. While on the topic of fines, there’s no news yet on Falcons Safety Keanu Neal’s late hit on Jordan Matthews, other than that the NFL have informed Doug Pederson that there should have indeed been a penalty…and that Grass is green.

 

Wentz grew up a Wilson fan:
Carson Wentz spoke with the media today ahead of what’s going to arguably be his toughest challenge to date. Surprisingly, he actually grew up as a heavy admirer of the quarterback he will be facing this week.

“I’ve watched him and followed him for a while, been a big fan.” Wentz told the media in his presser.

“A lot of respect for him, the way he came into the league right away and took it by storm as a late pick. It was impressive,” Wentz said. “So I have a lot of respect for him and look forward to going up against him.”

Surprisingly, the two have had staggeringly similar stats through their opening nine career games, despite being binary opposites in terms of situation and frame.

It will be thrilling to see the pair square off this weekend..but even more now knowing that the next generation has truly arrived.

 

The cream of the crop:
The NFC’s two best Defenses arguably battle it out this weekend..and it’s something that isn’t lost on Jordan Hicks..

..or Doug Pederson..

..or Pete Carroll, who said this in his press conference earlier today:

“Yeah, they’re probably ranked higher than we are,” said Carroll. “This is a really good group. It starts up front with these guys. They’re very aggressive. Coach Schwartz has got these guys humming off the football. They vary their stuff. They mix their coverages. It’s a really nice group.”

The Eagles seem to be very aware of what they’re going up against..to the point where Carson Wentz likened Seattle to Atlanta, due to the presence of former Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, with the only difference being that Seattle have played in the system longer.

It’s not just going to be a clash of Titans at CenturyLink Field..but a clash of two Defenses who both fully believe that they are the best in NFL. It was a sentiment echoed by Malcolm Jenkins and various other players today, who are very aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

 

Battling race related issues:
As we reported yesterday, Eagles Safety was one of five players to meet with members of Congress in Washington D.C today, to discuss race related issues. So what exactly was discussed, and where will this meeting lead? NJ.Com’s Matt Lombardo shed some light on the situation:

“The main focus of our visit was to really talk about our experiences and what’s going on with our concerns in our communities,” Jenkins explained. “Specifically with race relations, community and police relations as well as criminal justice reform. To give our perspectives but to also see what’s happening on Capitol Hill already and see what some of the things we can support and what things that are in development that we might be able to have some input on.”

Jenkins spoke in depth about the meeting after practice today, the details of which can be read in Matt’s full article here. Jenkins continues to strive for equality and a better tomorrow off the field, something that truly sums his personality up beautifully.

 

Too good to be true:
We reported last night that the Eagles worked out former Seahawks and Coastal Cal receiver, Kenny Lawler. A seventh round pick who according to Seahawks GM Joe Schneider “may have the best hands in the NFL Draft”.

Lawler also worked out for the Chiefs before opting to go back to Seattle, officially re-signing with the Hawks practice squad again today. Well, back to the Paul Turner Hype Train it is then!

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports