Eagles Injury Report: Mychal Kendricks, Kiko Alonso Out Vs. Jets, DeMarco Murray Questionable
By Kevin McGuire
Looking to get the first win of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles will face some injury concerns in Week 3 against the New York Jets. Running back DeMarco Murray is listed as questionable on the final Eagles injury report of the week and linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso have each been ruled out for this weekend's game.
Murray is off to a poor start running the football after leading the NFL in rushing a year ago, but the performance of the offensive line has not helped Murray get on track early on. Murray had to leave practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. He did not practice on Thursday, but did return for a full practice session on Friday. That would appear to be promising news for the Eagles, although listing him as questionable is a wise move considering hamstring injuries are difficult to predict. There have already been reports suggesting the Eagles do plan on playing Murray on Sunday against the New York Jets, but that will rely on the status of the hamstring injury in the next 48 hours. Murray has only played against the Jets once in his career, and the results looked similar to what he has done so far this season. In one game, Murray carried the ball twice for a net gain of zero yards. That was back in 2011 when Felix Jones was carrying the bulk of the running game for the Cowboys.
If Murray is unable to go Sunday or needs to be given an early rest due to the hamstring, the Eagles will be left to hope for the best with Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles out of the backfield. Matthews was another offseason acquisition for the Eagles, and he has proven capable of being the lead guy out of the backfield before. Sproles still has the ability to break a big play at any moment, but it will not matter who happens to be running the football if the Eagles cannot solve the problems on the offensive line when it comes to run blocking.
Elsewhere on offense, wide receiver and special teams player Seyi Ajirotutu is listed as probable with an elbow injury and concussion symptoms. After sitting out of practices all last week, Ajirotutu returned to participate in full practices all week long. Backup tight end Trey Burton (shoulder) is listed as probable as well. Brent Celek and Zach Ertz are each in good shape this week, so Burton being a bit dinged up does not appear to be a huge concern for the Eagles offense.
On the defense is where the Eagles are feeling the pain. Linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso are each out for this week. Kendricks was forced to leave Sunday's game with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss practice all week at the NovaCare complex. Alonso also left Sunday's loss to the Cowboys with a knee sprain that has left him out of practice all week. Alonso has been listed behind Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans on the team's depth chart at inside linebacker, so the Eagles will be running thin at the position this week. Jordan Hicks may get some playing time as a result. The Eagles could also move an outside linebacker to the inside if needed, with Vinny Curry and Marcus Smith two less-than-inspiring options. Both former early-round draft picks have failed to live up to the expectations that generally come with their draft order.
Starting defensive end Fletcher Cox is also appearing on the injury report this week, although he is probable with a groin injury. Cox was available for full practices all week and is expected to be available to start this weekend.
Probable:
Seyio Ajirotutu, WR (elbow, concussion)
Trey Burton, TE (shoulder)
Fletcher Cox, DE (groin)
Chris Maragos, S (hip)
Questionable:
DeMarco Murray, RB (hamstring)
Out:
Kiko Alonso, LB (knee)
Taylor Hart, DE (shoulder)
Mychal Kendricks, LB (hamstring)
Cedric Thornton, DE (hand)
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.
