The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to avoid an 0-3 start to the 2015 NFL regular season as they battle the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Eagles running back DeMarco Murray upset his hamstring during Wednesday's practice and missed practice on Thursday. He is listed as questionable, but reports indicate that he will be playing on Sunday.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso won't play this game after suffering a sprain in his left knee in a Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Also, Mychal Kendricks didn't practice all week with a hamstring injury. He is also ruled out for Sunday's game.
With both Alonso and Kendricks out, expect to see a lot of playing time from Eagles rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks and veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Veteran linebackers Brad Jones and Najee Goode will also be in the mix at the inside linebacker position.
Starting defensive end Cedric Thornton (hand) and his backup Taylor Hart (shoulder) didn't practice this week. Thornton is expected to miss a couple of weeks after breaking his hand against the Cowboys. If Hart can't play on Sunday, expect Brandon Bair to be activated to play. Also, Vinny Curry will take plenty of snaps at the defensive end position.
2014 first round draft pick Marcus Smith will make his 2015 debut against the Jets. A hamstring injury has sidelined Smith from action since Week 2 of the preseason.
After missing last game against the Cowboys with a concussion, wide receiver/special teams ace Seyi Arijorotutu was a full participant during practice this week.
The Jets have a number of banged up players as they prepare for this Week 3 match-up.
Starting running back Chris Ivory (quadriceps) is unsure if he'll play on Sunday. He has averaged 4.4 yards per carry through two games this season. If he can't play, expect to see a heavy dosage of Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy.
Starting wide receiver Eric Decker sprained his left knee in the team's win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in Week 2. Decker didn't practice this week, but he says that if he will play on Sunday if he feels good enough. He tried to come back quickly from a hamstring injury last year, which bothered him for about half of the 2014 season.
Corner back Darrelle Revis is battling a groin injury and was only limited in practice on Thursday. Jets head coach Todd Bowles says that the injury doesn't appear to be very significant. Revis won AFC defensive player of the week for his performance against the Colts on Monday night.
Wide receiver Chris Owusu (knee) isn't expected to play against the Eagles.
With Decker's availability in doubt and Owusu's injury status, rookie Devin Smith ( broken ribs) may make his NFL debut on Sunday. The Jets drafted Smith in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Quarterback Geno Smith returned to practice this week after suffering a broken jaw during a locker room dispute with a backup linebacker in the preseason. Smith was projected to be the team's starter for this season, but Ryan Fitzpatrick has led the team to a solid 2-0 start.
The Eagles play the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Michael Malia is a contributing intern for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Facebook (Michael Malia) or Twitter @Michael_Malia.
