By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Eagles had to deal with a short week in before facing the Carolina Panthers last Thursday night, but the extended time off that comes with a short week has seemed to benefit the Eagles.
On Tuesday both Lane Johnson and Wendell Smallwood returned to practice for the Eagles, bringing with them a big boost to the offense. The offense played well against Carolina, but having one of the league's best right tackles in the game can only help and Wendell Smallwood will bring more to the running game than Kenjon Barner has in his absence.
Missing from practice on Tuesday were safety Malcolm Jenkins, and defensive end Chris Long. Both players were excused from practice to meet with owners in New York to discuss unifying efforts for social justice.
Related: Chris Long plans to donate remainder of game checks
Cornerback Ronald Darby is getting close to his return from a dislocated ankle suffered in week one, according to head coach Doug Pederson, but the team does not foresee Darby making his return this monday.
Cornerback and rookie second round pick Sidney Jones is eligible to come off of the non-football injury list any time in the next six weeks, and if the Eagles do not remove him from that list he will be placed on injured reserve.
Jones is "not close" according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Bowen reports that a source told him that December appears to be the likely target for Jones to make his return.
The Eagles opponent this week, the Washington Redskins, are banged up going into Monday night's game. Star cornerback Josh Norman is a longshot to play with a fractured rib and the Redskins' other starting corner Bashaud Breeland is dealing with a knee injury after their week six game against the 49ers that has his status up in the air.
Washington's 2017 first round pick Jonathan Allen is expected to miss this game with a Lisfranc sprain, and so is kicker Dustin Hopkins with a torn hip muscle.
