Philadelphia Eagles Secondary Banged Up For Vikings, Offense Good To Go
By Kevin McGuire
The Philadelphia Eagles secondary will once again be a banged up unit this weekend, but the rest of the team looks to be in excellent shape as the Eagles go on the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
Rookie safety Earl Wolff is listed as doubtful for this weekend's road game. A knee injury has sidelined him the last couple of weeks,but he is beginning to get involved in practices with the team again. This week Wolff was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but did go through the team's walkthrough on Friday. It is not likely Wolff will be used this weekend, so look for him to sit out of this weekend's game if he even dresses.
Veteran corner backs Brandon Boykin (hip) and Cary Williams (hamstring) are officially listed as probable for this weekend's match-up, so the Eagles should have their starting defensive backs against the Vikings, who struggle to throw the football at times. Boykin's hip injury was not enough to slow him down too much in practice this week, as Boykin participated in full practices all week. Williams is playing through a mild hamstring injury, but hamstrings can linger and easily become more harmful if aggravated. Williams was limited in practice on Thursday but took part in the team walkthrough on Friday.
The Eagles will need their secondary to show up on third and long situations against Minnesota. The Vikings turn the football over,but the Eagles have been vulnerable on third and long this season. With a one-game lead in the division and things looking positive, letting a game slip away now would not be received well and could block the division championship path.
Backup linebacker Najee Goode is also listed as doubtful for this weekend. A more severe hamstring has sidelined Goode in practices this week,but he did take part in Friday's practice as a full participant.
The Eagles list no offensive injuries on their injury report for this weekend, so Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and the receiving unit should be ready to go. Playing inside on a turf should be a nice change of pace after last weekend's snow bowl against the Detroit Lions. The biggest question will be what happens with the Vikings top player, running back Adrian Peterson. A foot injury suffered Sunday at Baltimore has kept him out of practice all week.
Doubtful
- LB Najee Goode (hamstring)
- S Earl Wolff (knee)
Probable
- CB Brandon Boykin (hip)
- CB Cary Williams (hamstring)
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Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
