Banged Up Eagles Are Looking To Recover
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- At 1-3, the Eagles have enough issues to deal with this week. Add injuries to the top of the list.
The injury list for Chip Kelly's squad is a long one, with several key players dealing with various ailments. Many of the Eagles are questionable for Sunday's home game against New Orleans, while others will likely be in street clothes as kickoff approaches. None of the players or coaches are using the injuries as an excuse, but it is obviousl the Eagles are in dire need of healthy bodies. On defense, Byron Maxwell, Cedric Thornton, Mychal Kendricks, Taylor Hart, and Brandon Bair are all dealing with injuries. Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis said he is confident Maxwell will be ready for Sunday, but wasn't sure about the rest of his injured players.
"Ced and Taylor are coming along fine," said Davis. "I think they're going to be okay. I think everything is day-to-day, but I think they're going in the right direction. I don't know much on Brandon other than I don't really expect him. I don't know the details of it, but it will be hard for him to play this week."
The offense is also dealing with its share of injures. Three starting offensive lineman sat out practice on Tuesday. Tackle Lane Johnson is dealing with an MCL sprain, but Johnson insists he will be ready to play on Sunday.
"I'm a guy that wants to play if I'm banged up or not," Johnson said. "I'll be good to go on Sunday. I'll take some ibuprofen or something, so I'll be all right."
Even if Johnson is able to play, the offensive line has seen plenty of players take the field due to injuries. However, Center Jason Kelce insists execution is the problem, and doesn't believe having to adjust to different linemates is the reason the Eagles are struggling up front.
"I still think most of the mistakes coming in a game aren't coming because of continuity issues or chemistry issues," said Kelce. "It's just guys not doing their job. I really don't think that has much to do with guys being in and out. For the most part. the guys that went in played pretty solid games."
The Eagles will get little sympathy from the rest of the league. Part of playing in the NFL is dealing with injuries. Tight End Zach Ertz says the players on the team have to find a way to execute no matter which players are on the field.
"It's a game of attrition," Ertz said. "We're focused on the guys that can go out there and play. When I was hurt, no one was feeling bad for me. We've got our backs against the walls right now. It's just us in the building right now."
