Eagles Injury Report: Nick Foles Out Again But Birds Ready To Face Titans
By Kevin McGuire
The Philadelphia Eagles will put the offense in the capable hands of Mark Sanchez once again on Sunday afternoon against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. Quarterback Nick Foles is the only player on this week’s final injury report that has been ruled out of action for Sunday’s game as the Eagles look to rebound with a win following a dreadful loss in Green Bay. Every other player appearing on the depth chart is officially ruled probable to play Sunday.
For the second straight game since injuring his collarbone on the road against the Houston Texans, Foles has been ruled out of action after missing an entire week of practice. This leaves the Eagles with Sanchez to get back in the win column. The Eagles are 2-1 since Sanchez replaced the injured Foles against the Texans, winning game in Houston and at home against Carolina before being blown out at Green Bay last weekend. Sanchez has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 880 yards and six touchdowns since stepping in. Sanchez was picked off twice in his first game of the year against Houston and was picked off twice more on the road against Green Bay. At home against Carolina, Sanchez threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He could be ready for a similar performance against another struggling team this weekend.
With Sanchez filling in for Foles, the Eagles backup quarterback this weekend will once again be Matt Barkley. Barkley has appeared in just one game this season, two weeks ago against the Panthers in mop-up duty.
Elsewhere on the offense, center Jason Kelce (thumb) and offensive tackle Matt Tobin (concussion) are among the Eagles listed as probable for this weekend. Kelce has played in full practices all week despite a minor thumb injury. This should not be much of a concern, although anything that can prevent a solid snap should be on the radar. Tobin had been getting snaps at right guard in place of Todd Herremans, but a concussion may be a cause for a change at the position this weekend. Tobin was cleared to return to the team earlier this week and put in a full practice load on Thursday and again on Friday. If Tobin is not given the start this week, Andrew Gardner should be expected to slide in. Gardner appears behind Tobin on the depth chart, and he is also listed as the back-up to Lane Johnson at right tackle and Jason Peters at left tackle. His flexibility could come in handy this weekend.
Wide receivers Jeff Maehl (foot) and Jordan Matthews (knee) are each listed as probable but put in full practices all week. Both should be ready to go on Sunday.
The defense looks to be in solid shape this weekend as well. Up front, defensive end Brandon Bair (elbow) might be bothered slightly if needed to fill in for starter Fletcher Cox. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks continues to play through hamstring and calf injuries, but was available for full practices all week this week. Kendricks should be good to go, but Emmanuel Acho or Brandon Graham would be the likely replacements if needed. Defensive back Brandon Boykin is also playing through a hamstring concern and safety Chris Maragos has practiced through a groin concern this week.
Probable
DE Brandon Bair (elbow)
CB Brandon Boykin (hamstring)
C Jason Kelce (thumb)
LB Mychal Kendricks (calf, hamstring)
WR Jeff Maehl (foot)
S Chris Maragos (groin)
WR Jordan Matthews (knee)
OT Matt Tobin (concussion)
Out
QB Nick Foles (collarbone)
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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.
