Eagles Injury Report: Darren Sproles Out For Ravens Game
Darren Sproles. (Jeff Fusco)
Darren Sproles and Halapoulivaati Vaitai are the two Eagles players who have been ruled out for Philadelphia’s Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, according to Doug Pederson.
Sproles still hasn’t been cleared to return since suffering a concussion after taking a ‘cheap shot‘ from Washington defensive back Deshazor Everett. Everett was not suspended for the dirty play, but he did receive a fine.
With Sproles out, Philadelphia will keep three running backs active against Baltimore: Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner, and Byron Marshall. Eagles fifth-round pick Wendell Smallwood was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.
Barner was a healthy scratch last week. The 27-year-old has recorded 24 carries for 123 yards (5.1 average) and two touchdowns this season. Marshall, meanwhile, was only promoted to the active roster earlier this week. Pederson confirmed Marshall will have a role on Sunday.
The Eagles’ running backs will face a tough test against Baltimore. The Ravens boast the NFL’s best run defense.
In other injury news, Allen Barbre is questionable to play after suffering a hamstring injury last Sunday. Barbre hasn’t practiced all week. If he doesn’t play, the Eagles could be down to their fifth string option at right tackle: rookie interior offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo. Philadelphia’s starting offensive line could realistically look as follows:
Left tackle – Jason Peters
Left guard – Stefen Wisniewski
Center – Jason Kelce
Right guard – Brandon Brooks
Right tackle – Isaac Seumalo
Given the Eagles’ injury situation, Pederson said it’s “almost a no-brainer” for the Birds to plug in Lane Johnson at right tackle when he returns from suspension in Week 16 for the Eagles-Giants game on Thursday, Dec. 22.
The Eagles have already virtually been eliminated from the playoffs, but the team still has three games to play before the season is officially over. There’s still time for the team to evaluate young players, such as Carson Wentz. Speaking of which, Pederson said the team has given no thought to benching Wentz despite the Eagles’ injured offensive line.
EAGLES INJURY REPORT
Out
RB Darren Sproles (concussion)
OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee)
Questionable
OG Allen Barbre (hamstring)
TE Brent Celek (stinger)
WR Dorial Green-Beckham (abdomen)
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
WR Jordan Matthews (ankle)
RAVENS INJURY REPORT
For the Ravens, starting cornerback Jimmy Smith has been ruled out. That’s a significant loss for their defense, as explained by Baltimore beat writer Jeff Zrebiec.
Out
CB Jimmy Smith (ankle)
Questionable
TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh)
DB/LB Anthony Levine (toe)
OG Alex Lewis (ankle)
CB Jerraud Powers (concussion)