Injury Report: Eagles LB Kendricks Out For Third Straight Week
By Kevin McGuire
As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to bounce back with a win, there were no real surprises showing up on the weekly injury report. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks will miss his third straight game, but just about everything else on the Friday injury report was pretty common as the Eagles get ready to host the St. Louis Rams this Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kendricks is still nursing a calf injury that was suffered in week two against the Indianapolis Colts on a Monday night. Kendricks missed the last two games against Washington and the San Francisco 49ers. He did not participate in any practices this week. Without Kendricks lining up in the middle of the defense, the Eagels will once again hope Emmanuel Acho will be able to pick up enough of the slack to get by at least one more game. Acho has been listed second on the depth chart behind Kendricks, but Casey Matthews has been taking some snaps as well. Matthews has been hit or miss at the position, with most of his issues coming in open-field tackling.
The only other Eagle officially ruled out for this weekend, of course, is center Jason Kelce (hernia). Fortunately for the Eagles, the offensive line welcomes back tackle Lane Johnson from his four-game suspension. This should help provide a boost and a little stability on the line this weekend after some shaky outings in recent weeks. Johnson will anchor his usual right tackle position, with Todd Herremans to his side and Jason Peters at left tackle. David Molk will again fill in for Kelce in the middle, and Matt Tobin (ankle) will likely fill the left guard position despite being listed as probable for this weekend. Tobin participated in full practices all week and should be ready to go Sunday.
Every player listed as probable this week took part in full practices this week. Receivers Jeremy Maclin (hamstring), Josh Huff (shoulder) and Brad Smith (groin) are all expected to be available. So will tight ends Trey Burton (Achilles) and James Casey (knee), although their roles will be to back up Brent Celek and Zach Ertz.
On defense, safety Earl Wolff continues to be bothered by a knee injury, which has been sticking with him all season so far. Wolff did participate in full practices this week. Wolff has played in part of three games this season but has yet to start a game. He has just one tackle this season in his limited time on the field.
Cornerback Brandon Boykin is listed as questionable after agitating his hamstring injury. Boykin probable for last weekend’s game in San Francisco. After a full week of full practices, Boykin recorded two tackles last weekend, but his status for Sunday afternoon remains in question after being downgraded this week. Boykin sat out practice on Wednesday but was available for full practices on Thursday and Friday.
Probable
LB Trey Burton (Achilles)
CB Nolan Carroll (ankle)
TE James Casey (knee)
WR Josh Huff (shoulder)
WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring)
WR Brad Smith (groin)
OT Matt Tobin (ankle)
S Earl Wolff (knee)
Questionable
CB Brandon Boykin (hamstring)
Out
C Jason Kelce (hernia)
LB Mychal Kendricks (calf)
For more Eagles news and updates, visit Eagles Central.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
