The Eagles still have one more game left to finish before their 2020 season mercifully comes to a close.
And they might need to play this game without several key members. That’s either good news or bad news, depending on your viewpoint of Sunday Night Football against Washington.
The Eagles (players and coaches, at least) are obviously trying to win this game but a loss would help them earn a better draft pick and help the franchise in the long-term. And without a playoff berth on the line, you can expect the Eagles to sit players with injuries who might have played had this game still mattered for their own playoff hopes.
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On Wednesday, the Eagles practiced without Fletcher Cox (neck), Jordan Mailata (concussion), DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Derek Barnett (calf), among others.
In all, it was a very lengthy injury report. The following players did not participate: DE Derek Barnett (calf), LB Shaun Bradley (neck), DT Fletcher Cox (neck), TE Dallas Goedert (calf), WR DeSean Jackson (ankle), CB Michael Jacquet (calf), T Jordan Mailata (concussion), TE Richard Rodgers (ankle), WR Quez Watkins (rib)
Cox, Mailata and Jackson were not on the practice field during the brief portion of the session open to reporters. Barnett was out there but wasn’t participating in individual drills, instead he appeared to be a spectator for Wednesday’s non-padded practice.
There really isn’t a reason to rush any of these players back for Week 17.
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The one you can make an argument for playing is Mailata if he clears the protocol. Still early in his football career, Mailata can still use all the snaps he can get and if he can’t play, the Eagles have to seriously worry about the safety of quarterback Jalen Hurts. If Mailata can’t play, Matt Pryor will likely be the left tackle and that means Brett Toth might make his first career start at right tackle. Either him or Prince Tega Wanogho from the practice squad.
If Cox misses this game it would be just the fourth missed game of his nine-year career. Cox lasted just seven snaps against the Cowboys in Dallas last week before he was forced out of action. Cox has been dealing with this neck injury for several weeks.
And Jackson’s missing practicing isn’t much of a shocker at this point. He had that 81-yard touchdown catch on Sunday but then his ankle became sore and the Eagles didn’t play him much the rest of the way. The 34-year-old has struggled to stay on the field since returning to Philly last year.
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