Injury Woes And Losses Make For Ominous Week For Eagles
By Kevin McGuire
There simply is no way to sugar coat what is happening with the Philadelphia Eagles this week. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys to drop to 0-2 to start the season, this week the Eagles are preparing for what could be an improved New York Jets squad while also working through injuries to key players on each side of the football.
DeMarco Murray catches hamstring injury
As if the start of the season was not bad enough for new running back DeMarco Murray, this week he left practice early with a hamstring injury. Hamstring injuries and running backs typically are a bad combination, not that it's ever good news for any player at another position. The Eagles will be hopeful the hamstring does not linger for too long, and it will not be known until later this week when the injury report comes out until we know what his status for Sunday's game in the Meadowlands will be.
No more excuses for Chip Kelly
After a start of 0-2 the pitchforks are out for Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. While there is still time for Chip Kelly The Coach to turn things around on the field, the biggest criticisms may be aimed at Chip Kelly The General Manager. Given the roster moves Kelly has made under his new title, Kelly has not made things easier for him on the sideline calling the shots. Kelly is focused on getting his team to execute better after two dreadful performances on offense. Kelly is not looking for excuses, even if some of his players are. There is no time to make excuses though, because the Eagles are already two games back of first place behind the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins.
It's never too late to change, fortunately
The Eagles fans may be down after seeing the team limp out to a poor 0-2 start, but there is still time to turn things around. Given the injuries the Cowboys are facing and the inevitable implosion to come in Washington, the Eagles should know there is still time to turn this season around. That time comes now. Malcolm Jenkins said this week the Eagles need to change, and he is 100 percent correct. But what changes? Will the offense suddenly start being able to run the football? Will Sam Bradford start getting in sync with his receivers, who no longer drop passes in key situations? Will the defense actually be able to catch a breath before having to go back on the field? There is a lot that needs to change, and at least the Eagles are recognizing that this week.
Kiko Alonso still being evaluated
Linebacker Kiko Alonso was the key trading piece coming back to Philadelphia from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back LeSean McCoy. With that being the case, it certainly was not encouraging to see Alonso leave Sunday afternoon's game early with a sprained knee. Especially not when Alonso came to town with an injury history. Chip Kelly said the team is continuing to evaluate Alonso's knee this week to see what he is capable of doing. It is unknown if he will be available for Sunday's game against the Jets.
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.
