The Eagles have released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship rematch and there are both positives and negatives.
#MINvsPHI Status Report
Out: DE Barnett (shoulder), RB Sproles (hamstring)
Questionable: RB Clement (quadricep), DT Ngata (calf)— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 5, 2018
Darren Sproles is still absent with a hamstring injury, while Corey Clement is listed is questionable. This leaves a wounded Jay Ajayi, Wendell Smallwood and UDFA Josh Adams to carry the load for the second consecutive week. The backfield was able to stand tall, for the most part, against the Titans and balance the offense as much as possible, but errors in pass protection came back to sting them in the long run and there’s no real way of knowing what the snap-count is likely to be for Ajayi.
Elsewhere, second-year defensive end, Derek Barnett, is set to miss Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Barnett has been one of the big standouts of the opening four games, making big plays when the team need a spark and showing a real improvement against the run. While this loss is massive for the Eagles, it will open a huge window of opportunity to fourth-round pick, Josh Sweat, who is yet to play an NFL snap.
Sweat underwhelmed during the preseason but was considered one of the steals of the draft after producing consistently at FSU despite being a schematic misfit. Could this be the week the world is exposed to Josh Sweat’s exceptional pass-rushing ability?
If the Eagles miss Ngata on Sunday, expect Bruce Hector to be called up and fill the void as one of the team’s lone remaining run-stuffing options. The other option would be for Michael Bennett to move inside for a game, teaming up with Fletcher Cox.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
