By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor
Despite an injury report with no surprises, the Eagles started their game in Atlanta off without Dallas Goedert and lost DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery on the first few plays of the game.
The story line this week was the health of these players as well as defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, even more so than it was about Jalen Ramsey.
There may be some good news, however as the team’s injury report is not as bad as expected, though that doesn’t mean they won’t still be missing all the same players.
Injury Report
Eagles
Out
OT Jordan Mailata
His third week ruled out, the Eagles want Mailata to continue to be able to practice and improve, so have not placed him on IR. His being out isn’t much of a loss as there would need to be three tackles go down before he’d see game action.
RB Corey Clement
Clement was injured on the return where he fumbled the ball and turned it over to start the second half in Atlanta. Clement has been buried on the depth chart, so the run game will see no change, but the team will need a kick returner in his place. Miles Sanders returned following Clement’s injury last weekend.
DT Tim Jernigan
A foot injury is reportedly going to sideline Jernigan for 4-6 weeks, so it is no surprise to see him on the report the week following that injury. Hassan Ridgeway will take his place as the starter.
WR DeSean Jackson
Jackson was missing for most of the game in Atlanta and reports are that he opted not to have surgery in the hopes of returning sooner. The team will miss his deep threat. He is expected to miss at least two weeks.Doubtful
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
Grugier-Hill has missed the first two games with an injury suffered in the preseason. Zach Brown and Nate Gerry have been taking his snaps, but his return would be a welcome one. Still, it might be best for the team to withhold him and hope to have him healthier for a very tough match-up in Green Bay next week.
Questionable
QB Nate Sudfeld
Sudfeld has progress quicker than initially hoped, but there is no reason for him to be active. Josh McCown is a good back-up, so there is no reason to risk Sudfeld aggravating the injury.
WR Alshon Jeffery
Jeffery was sidelined for nearly the entire Falcons game and, frankly, it is a surprise he isn’t listed as out. His status was in question for the next two games, but the Eagles would be wise to give him a bit more time to heal and hope to get him back for Thursday Night Football next week.
TE Dallas Goedert
Goedert suffered a calf injury in training camp and re-injured the same calf in pre-game warm-ups last weekend. His absence is a huge blow for a team with injuries to their top two receivers. The team had to call Alex Ellis back up from the practice squad to serve as the second tight-end behind Ertz in case Goedert is unable to go.
It would seem unlikely he plays, but Goedert has the best chance of anyone on the Eagles injury report to play.
Lions
Questionable
OT Taylor Decker
Perhaps the most important name on the Lions injury report, Decker is the team’s left tackle. If he is unable to go, Derek Barnett will be facing off against Tyrell Crosby. With the way Barnett has been pressuring QBs, that could be huge for the Birds.
LB Jarrad Davis
The starting middle linebacker, Davis is probably the second best player on the Lions defense that isn’t a defensive lineman. His absence could mean a big game for Zach Ertz and Alex Ellis in the middle of the field.
DE Da’Shawn Hand
Hand is the third of three defensive ends on the Lions roster. While he isn’t a starter, his absence would mean the Lions have no defensive ends to rotate in or lean on in the case of an injury.
CB Rashaan Melvin
Melvin started both of the Lions games this season, but he is the team’s third corner. His absence would certainly be a big hit to a team that has such a young secondary.
S C.J. Moore
Moore wouldn’t see the field on defense unless there was an extreme emergency. His injury has about the same impact as Rudy Ford’s has had for the Eagles thus far in the season.