The Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have both released their final injury reports in advance of a Week 11 showdown on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quarterback Sam Bradford (concussion/left shoulder) is ruled out for the first time this year. He was knocked out of last week's 20-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins in third quarter after being sacked by linebacker Chris McCain.
Backup Mark Sanchez will make his first start of the 2015 regular season. Sanchez threw 14-for-23 with 156 yards in replace of Bradford against Miami, but a fourth-quarter interception by Reshad Jones in the end zone sealed the deal for Philadelphia. Sanchez went 4-4 as the Eagles starter in the final eight games of last season.
If Sanchez goes down, the Eagles will call on Thad Lewis to run the offense. Lewis has experience with Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Shurmur was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns when Lewis made his first NFL start against the Cleveland Browns in 2012. Lewis hasn't played in a regular season game since the 2013 season with the Buffalo Bills.
The Eagles will also be without running back Ryan Mathews in Sunday's game. Mathews suffered a concussion last week against the Dolphins, and he hasn't be able to practice at all during the week. The Eagles will rely on DeMarco Murray to take the majority of the workload, but Darren Sproles will also have an increased role on Sunday.
Starting left tackle Jason Peters is ruled questionable to play on Sunday. Peters has been sidelined since injuring his back in the first quarter of the team's loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. If Peters is out, Lane Johnson will start at left tackle and Dennis Kelly will start at right tackle for the third game in a row.
Starting safety Walter Thurmond is one of five Eagles players to be listed as probable to play. Thurmond practiced all week with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Josh Huff (back) and reserve offensive lineman Josh Andrews (concussion) are also listed as probable.
Starting outside linebacker Connor Barwin and inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans are both ruled probable to play. Barwin didn't practice on Wednesday due to a quadricep injury, but he was a limited participant in Thursday's practice and he practice in full on Friday. Ryans had missed a couple of games with a hamstring injury, but he practiced in full during the entire week of drills.
Backup defensive back and special teams player Jerome Couplin is now out for the season with a shoulder injury. The team has placed him on injured reserve, and 2014 fifth-round pick Ed Reyonlds has been called up from the practice squad.
For Tampa Bay, only one player has been ruled out for Sunday's game.
Defensive end George Johnson won't play on Sunday after injuring his calf in last week's victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Already without Johnson, it is likely that the Bucs will be without two defensive ends on Sunday. Josh Shirley also injured his calf against the Cowboys last week, and he is listed as doubtful to play.
Another defensive end, Jacquies Smith, is questionable to play with an ankle injury.
Starting wide receiver Vincent Jackson has missed the past three games with a knee injury. Jackson was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He is officially listed as questionable, and he will likely be a game-time decision.
Second-year tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is also listed as questionable to play, but reports indicate that he will miss his eight consecutive game as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Starting right guard Ali Marpet is ruled questionable to play due to an ankle injury. The rookie was limited in practice throughout the week.
Backup center Evan Smith is also questionable to play with a knee injury. He too was limited during the entire week of practice.
Safety Major Wright is probable to play with a hamstring injury.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
