The Eagles are hoping to finally get some good news on the injury front ahead of their NFC wild-card round matchup with the Seahawks on Sunday.
Plagued by injuries all season, the Eagles found a way to make do with free agents and players from their practice squad and win their last three games of the regular season, winning the NFC East with a 9-7 record and earning a spot in the playoffs in the process. The team was missing four starters – receiver Nelson Agholor (knee), corner Jalen Mills (ankle), tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) and tight end Zach Ertz (ribs, back) – for its Week 17 win over the Giants, and lost running back Miles Sanders (ankle) and guard Brandon Brooks (shoulder) in the game.
While Brooks was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, Philadelphia has seen some of its most important players return to practice before they embark on another postseason run.
All-Pro Lane Johnson has been sidelined since Week 14, and despite being a limited participant in practice this week for the first time in three weeks, Johnson is inactive for Sunday’s game.
“Lane is still working,” coach Doug Pederson told reporters Friday. “He’s a tough guy. He really wants to play in this football game. We’re going to find out more today and see where he’s at the end of the day before we put out a report. He’s working to try to play in this football game.”
Both Ertz and Mills were listed as limited participants in practice this week and both players are active. Ertz suffered a broken rib, lacerated kidney and a back injury in the Eagles’ crucial Week 16 win against the Cowboys, and missed Week 17 as a result. He’s been one of the team’s toughest players throughout his career.
“He is still not cleared for any contact,” Pederson said. “He will work a little on the side, like he’s done this week. We’re waiting on a few doctor results tomorrow [Saturday]. If things go favorable, he’ll play and if they don’t, he won’t.”
Sanders, who has played an integral role in the team’s late playoff push, is questionable with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 17 and hasn’t practiced this week. Pederson was encouraged by his progress, however, claiming the rookie “has been feeling good.”
Agholor did not practice this week and is inactive.
The Seahawks are hardly injury-free themselves. After losing its top three running backs near the end of the regular season – Chris Carson (hip), C.J. Prosise (arm) and Rashaad Penny (ACL) – Seattle reunited with former star Marshawn Lynch, who scored a touchdown it the team’s Week 17 loss to the 49ers in his first game out of retirement.
Seattle is expecting to have several starters return on Sunday, however.
Safety Quandre Diggs, who missed the team’s last two games with an ankle sprain, returned to practice this week and is active.
Despite not practicing Wednesday, Jadeveon Clowney (core) is active.
“He’s fine,” Carroll told reporters Thursday. “Well, he’s practicing and going. He’s doing the best he can so he’s ready to go again.”
Seattle will be without left tackle Duane Brown, he recently had minor knee surgery. He did not participate in practice this week.
“He’s working at it,” Carroll said. “He’s trying to get back. He’s going for it. We’ll see what he can do. I don’t know anything right now. There’s nothing he’s done on the field yet.”