In five years as the Eagles’ head coach, Nick Sirianni has had his offensive coordinator on the field with him during the games. For the first time in Sirianni’s tenure, the man calling the plays on offense will be upstairs.
“We want to think through every situation to make sure that we’re giving ourselves the best opportunity for us to win the game and be at our best,” Sirianni told reporters on Friday regarding the decision to have Sean Mannion be in the booth. “Also understanding that there is no right way to do it or wrong way to do it. There’s many different ways to do it. I think we can get caught up so much, it’s like, ‘This is the only way to do it.’ You have conviction in what you believe, but there’s many different things that can work and have worked. It’s just about making the best decision, what’s best for your football team and for you to do your job the best. That’s how we went about it.”
Sirianni was then asked how it will affect him to not have the offensive coordinator by his side during games.
“I don’t think at all,” Sirianni said. “I mean, obviously, there’s communication still, right? We’re talking on the headset and everything like that. I would say it’s the amount of conversations that happen that have to be face-to-face, I think, are very minimal. I don’t think that’s -- you’re being able to communicate and that’s something that we stress on our players of how important communication is. We have to lead that as coaches as well. I don’t think that affects us at all.”
The balance continues to be seeing the full field for every play and having the ability to talk directly to the players without using a phone. And there is no magic to it. Nevertheless, it will be a different game-day experience for Sirianni, and for players like quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The first test of the new approach comes on Sunday, when the Eagles host the Commanders.
Linebacker Jonathan Greenard said on Thursday that he feels “close” to being ready to play after missing all of training camp and the preseason with a pectoral injury, but he’s not close enough to be in the lineup this weekend.
Greenard returned to practice this week as a limited participant and the Eagles announced on Friday afternoon that he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. If all goes well, Greenard could make his debut for the team against the Titans in Week 2.
Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, and A.J. Epenesa will be the available outside linebackers for the Eagles.
Second-round pick Eli Stowers is the only other Eagle with an injury designation. The tight end is questionable to play due to a hamstring injury.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn delivered some positive injury news on Friday.
Via multiple reporters, Quinn said in his press conference that everyone on the 53-man roster is cleared to play against the Eagles in Week 1.
That means outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (calf), and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) are all expected to play after being limited in practice for the first two days of the week.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee) also popped up on the injury report as limited on Thursday, but is expected to play.
Offensive lineman Nick Allegretti (calf), linebacker Jordan Magee (chest), backup QB Marcus Mariota (knee), defensive end Charles Omenihu (wrist), tight end Ben Sinnott (oblique), and defensive tackle Javon Kiinlaw (back) are also expected to play after being full on the injury report this week.
Kickoff for Sunday’s matchup between the Commanders and Eagles is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Linebacker Jonathan Greenard has been practicing for the Eagles this week, but it remains unclear whether he’ll be on the field against the Commanders on Sunday.
Greenard did not practice at all this summer due to a pectoral injury and has been listed as limited on the first two injury reports of the week. Friday will bring another practice and the issuing of injury designations that could shed more light on whether the offseason acquisition will be part of the Week 1 plan.
“They haven’t told me anything,” Greenard said Thursday, via Reuben Frank of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I just know I’ve been getting right, going through the motions of just trying to get back into the swing of things before I get fully thrown out there. But it’s something every day. So I just listen to them. I trust their judgment. I’m literally just trying to work day by day. Like, I literally am out there every second trying to just show what I can do. And that’s tough for them, but I feel pretty solid. . . . It’s not for me to decide. I feel good, though. I will say I feel I’m in a good spot. I know that I’m working every day to continue to try to get this thing stronger. We’re close. I know that.”
Greenard will likely play a reduced number of snaps if he is active against Washington, but the Eagles will take whatever they can get if Greenard is ready to start helping the team’s pass rush.
The Commanders added defensive tackle Daron Payne to their injury report on Thursday. They list him as limited with a knee injury.
That is not a good sign for the team ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Eagles.
The Commanders also added defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw to Thursday’s report, but he was a full participant with a back injury.
Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (calf) remained limited a second consecutive day.
Center Mick Allegretti (calf), linebacker Jordan Magee (chest), quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee), defensive end Charles Omenihu (wrist) and tight end Ben Sinnott (oblique) were full participants again.
