Making Sense Of the Eagles’ Inactives

The following Eagles are inactive for today’s 1 p.m. game against the Steelers: Trent Edwards, Riley Cooper, Chris Polk, Akeem Jordan, Steve Vallos, Nate Menkin and Vinny Curry.

Of note offensively, Dion Lewis is active for the first time all season. Lewis had a good training camp, but battled a hamstring injury in the early part of the season. He was eventually replaced by Bryce Brown as LeSean McCoy’s backup. Brown saw his most action of the season last week, playing 15 snaps against the Giants. Through four games he has played 13.1 percent of the Eagles’ offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

Polk had been playing special teams. He’s yet to see an offensive snap.

On the offensive line, the Eagles have two backups active: King Dunlap and Dennis Kelly. Neither is a prototypical guard, but Dunlap played there last season, and Kelly played there in the preseason. Demetress Bell gets the start at left tackle. If Dallas Reynolds were to go down, the Eagles would have to figure out who to plug in at center. Evan Mathis might be the leading candidate.

At wide receiver, Cooper was listed as probable on Friday’s injury report, but he’s inactive. Cooper has yet to dress this season as he recovers from a collarbone injury sustained during training camp. The Eagles have five active wide receivers: DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Damaris Johnson and Mardy Gilyard.

Defensively, Curry, a second-round pick, is inactive again. He hasn’t dressed this season. The Eagles go with their usual nine defensive linemen.

At linebacker, Jordan is out with a hamstring injury, and Jamar Chaney gets the start. Adrian Moten, who was signed in favor of Brian Rolle, is active.

Colt Anderson and Derek Landri were both listed as questionable on Friday, but both will play.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.