Eagles Injury Report: Fletcher Cox out; Wendell Smallwood questionable

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The Eagles will be without Fletcher Cox for the second straight week when they take the field against the Cardinals on Sunday at the Linc. 

The Pro Bowl defensive tackle injured his calf in the first half against the Giants and hasn't been able to practice or play since. He missed last week's game in Los Angeles and didn't even travel to the game. 

"He's good," head coach Doug Pederson said. "He's right on track where he needs to be. It's Week 5 and we have a lot of football left. And he's progressing nicely. We got to just be careful." 

While Cox has been ruled out, running back Wendell Smallwood (knee) is listed as questionable coming into the weekend despite not practicing all week, a normal indicator a guy won't be able to play. Pederson wouldn't divulge much about the injury other than it's an injury to Smallwood's knee and it happened during the Chargers game. 

Pederson said he expects Smallwood to be a game-time decision, but the signs simply don't look good. 

Without Smallwood, the Eagles are in a tricky situation at running back. They're down to LeGarrette Blount, Corey Clement and Kenjon Barner, who was brought back just last week. After losing Darren Sproles for the season, Smallwood assumed most third-down situations. Without him, that will fall on Blount and Clement; Barner is still getting caught up. 

Pederson said the absence of Smallwood will not affect the run game, but that's kind of hard to believe. The team has specific run plays for specific players. 

"We do have specific runs for guys but all the guys have to know those specific runs," Pederson said. "We do call for specific guys in certain situations but, listen, LeGarrette has to know them all, Corey has to know them all. Even Kenjon has to know them all."

At 5-10, 208 pounds, Smallwood's durability has come into question by plenty of Eagles fans. His rookie season last year was ended early when he needed to be placed on Injured Reserve with three games left. 

Is Pederson concerned about Smallwood's long-term durability? 

"I'm not," Pederson answered. "This is a physical game, contact sport. These things are going to happen, particularly to runners. And it's just part of the game. I'm not concerned with this long-term."

Defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (wrist), who has missed the last three games, will be listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game. It would be a nice boost to get him back because the team was down to Beau Allen, Tim Jernigan, Elijah Qualls and Justin Hamilton at the position. 

Defensive backs Corey Graham (hamstring) and Jaylen Watkins (hamstring) are listed as questionable but were able to practice in full all week. 

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