For the first time in five games, the Philadelphia Eagles appear to have all of their inside linebackers healthy and available to play a game.
Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) both got injured in the second game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys. Alonso underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is aiming to make a return this week. Kendricks has missed three of seven games with the nagging injury, but he played in Week 7's loss to the Carolina Panthers.
DeMeco Ryans, who missed the game in Carolina with a hamstring injury, didn't appear to be practicing on Wednesday. The veteran linebacker isn't 100 percent sure that he'll play this week.
Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said in a press conference Wednesday he has to get all of his linebackers through the week of practice without any setbacks before he can determine how he will utilize their talents.
"We need them practicing again to make that first step," Davis said. "Kind of like Mychal did two weeks ago. If they pass the test during the week, we'll be excited about having all four of them up."
The Eagles are only going to have to have two of the four inside linebackers on the field at the same time, and it's Davis' job to decide who plays in certain situations.
"There's a rotation that's kind of fluid during the game based on their health, stamina, and special-teams involvement," he said. "We have different packages that they all kind of fit, and we make those packages fit their talents."
The plan for rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks this season was to play on mostly on special teams and learn from the veterans like Ryans. However, Hicks has become a standout on the Eagles defensive after not playing any defensive snaps in Week 1's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
"He's moved himself into the (playing time) conversation," Davis said. "In the beginning of the year, he wasn't in the conversation, other than special teams and a backup role. But he jumped in and did such a nice job that he's brought himself into the conversation of a main rotation."
During the last five games, the third round pick has played in 343 of 361 defensive snaps. Hicks has accounted for 43 combined tackles, with one interception, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
Najee Goode may be the odd man out. Goode will likely be inactive for Sunday night's game if the other four inside linebackers are ready to go.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledlephia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
