In a thrilling lead-up to their Week 17 away game against the Buffalo Bills, the Philadelphia Eagles have released their first official injury report, raising the stakes as fans anticipate the match-up. It’s crucial to note that four players were marked as ‘DID NOT PARTICIPATE’ in practice: Lane Johnson, A.J. Brown, Nakobe Dean, and Landon Dickerson.
This marks the second consecutive week where there has been speculation about Johnson’s potential return to practice, yet he has not taken the field. If he doesn’t practice by Thursday, it seems likely that he will be sidelined once more this week.
A.J. Brown’s injury is somewhat unusual, categorized simply as “teeth.” While this might sound minor, it certainly raises questions about his availability for the upcoming game. However, indications suggest he should be ready to play.
On the other hand, defensive linebacker Nakobe Dean is considered doubtful for Sunday’s match. Coach Vic Fangio has expressed caution about rushing him back from a hamstring injury, especially given that Jihaad Campbell is proving to be a strong option as a starting linebacker.
Landon Dickerson sat out Wednesday’s practice due to illness, which adds to concerns since he has missed several sessions recently for rest purposes.
On a more positive note, the Eagles reported that seven players were able to fully participate in practice: Jalen Carter, DeVonta Smith, Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Fred Johnson, Cameron Latu, and Cameron Williams. Notably, Jalen Carter has stated his intention to return to the field on Sunday, although it remains uncertain how beneficial the time off has been for him.
The participation of DeVonta Smith, Baun, Campbell, and Fred Johnson was never in doubt, which is reassuring for the team. Cameron Latu, who missed Week 16 due to a stinger, appears to be on track to return in Week 17. Meanwhile, Cameron Williams is still navigating his 21-day practice window after being placed on injured reserve, but it seems the Eagles are not rushing to make changes regarding his status.
Here’s a quick overview of the Eagles’ injury report from Wednesday:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE:
WR A.J. Brown (teeth)
LB Nakobe Dean (hamstring)
OG Landon Dickerson (illness)
OT Lane Johnson (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION:
LB Zack Baun (hand)
LB Jihaad Campbell (back/ankle)
DT Jalen Carter (shoulders)
OT Fred Johnson (ankle)
TE Cameron Latu (stinger)
WR DeVonta Smith (illness)
OT Cameron Williams (shoulder)
Turning our attention to the Buffalo Bills, their injury report also presents some intriguing challenges. Notably, this report is an estimation due to a walkthrough replacing a standard practice. The Bills listed seven players as ‘DID NOT PARTICIPATE,’ including starting edge rusher Joey Bosa, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, safety Jordan Poyer, tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid, kicker Matt Prater, and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who has gained notoriety for questionable plays.
Bosa, who leads the Bills in tackles for loss and ranks second in sacks, previously dealt with a hamstring issue but was cleared from the injury report in Week 16. It’s worth monitoring whether he is facing a new hamstring problem or if it’s related to his prior injury.
DaQuan Jones has been managing rest days in practice, which suggests the Bills may be exercising caution with him. Jordan Poyer sustained a hamstring injury during the Bills’ victory in Week 16, leading to uncertainty about his ability to play.
Dawson Knox’s addition to the injury report is concerning; if he and Kincaid are both unable to play, the Bills will find themselves without two of their top three tight ends. Additionally, kicker Matt Prater continues to be sidelined, meaning Michael Badgley may need to step in for him once again.
The Bills also indicated four players were limited in their participation: starting quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Shaq Thompson, cornerbacks Taron Johnson (starting) and Cam Lewis (backup). While all signs point to Allen making an appearance in the game, it's possible he won't be at full strength, so it will be interesting to see how his mobility is affected.
Here’s a summary of the Bills’ injury report from Wednesday:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE:
DE Joey Bosa (hamstring)
DT DaQuan Jones (calf)
TE Dalton Kincaid (knee)
TE Dawson Knox (knee)
DT Jordan Phillips (ankle)
S Jordan Poyer (hamstring)
K Matt Prater (right quad)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION:
QB Josh Allen (foot)
CB Taron Johnson (quad)
DB Cam Lewis (hamstring)
LB Shaq Thompson (neck)
FULL PARTICIPATION:
S Cole Bishop (ribs)
RB Ray Davis (knee)
As fans eagerly await the showdown between these two teams, the implications of these injuries could dramatically shape the outcome of the game. What do you think? Will the Eagles manage to pull off a victory despite their injury challenges, or will the Bills capitalize on their opponents' struggles? Share your thoughts in the comments!
