Doug Pederson gave out some very good news about some injured Eagles on Monday afternoon.
The head coach said the Eagles “fully expect” Brandon Brooks, Fletcher Cox, Nigel Bradham and Ronald Darby to play against Washington in the season opener on Sunday.
All four starters have been rehabbing lower-body injuries this summer.
“Right now, they all practiced today. Looking good,” Pederson said. “Obviously, we haven’t made any official announcements on who’s in, who’s out, but we’re going to take it day by day. But fully expect those guys you mentioned to get time on Sunday.”
In addition to those four, Derek Barnett will be good to start Week 1 and Lane Johnson will also be ready to play.
Here’s a closer look at all those players and their injuries:
Brandon Brooks: Brooks tore his Achilles in the playoff game against the Saints on Jan. 13. If he does indeed play in Week 1, the 340-pound right guard will make a return less than eight months from the injury date, which is pretty darn impressive. Halapoulivaati Vaitai spent all summer working as the first-team right guard and would play if Brooks can’t go.
NFL
Fletcher Cox: Cox hurt his foot against the Saints on Jan. 13 and missed practice all spring and most of the summer as he recovered from surgery. There’s a chance he might not be able to take on his full workload against Washington, but having their best player on the field at all is a nice boost for the Eagles.
Nigel Bradham: Like Brooks and Cox, Bradham also got injured in the Saints game. He had surgery to reattach ligaments in his big toe. Bradham might also have to be eased back into action. Once he’s completely healthy, he’ll be the Eagles’ every-down linebacker.
Ronald Darby: Darby tore his ACL last Nov. 11, but has been practicing for a while. His workload ramped up this summer. Maybe the Eagles start this season with some sort of rotation between him and Rasul Douglas until Darby is completely back. But expect Darby to start along with Sidney Jones and Avonte Maddox in the nickel CB spot.
Derek Barnett: The former first-round pick’s season ended after just six games in 2018. He had rotator cuff surgery and that recovery can be a long one. But Pederson is very confident about Barnett’s readiness.
“I feel really good about Derek,” Pederson said. “He’s been probably the one that’s been practicing the most during training camp with getting more reps each and every week. He’s in a really good spot. I have no issues with him not playing or being there.”
Lane Johnson: Johnson has been dealing with a knee injury but was a full participant in Monday’s practice and doesn’t even think he’ll really have to play through too much pain on Sunday. Last year, Johnson toughed it out through an MCL sprain.
Kamu Grugier-Hill: Speaking of MCL sprains, Grugier-Hill said his recovery is going well. While he won’t be ready for Week 1, the linebacker is nearing a return to practice, he said.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.