Here’s a Deeper Look At How Disastrous the Eagles Injury Situation Has Been
At some point yesterday, we all came to the realization we were about to get blown out on national TV. For some of us, it was Mark Ingram going untouched into the end zone for a 17-0 lead. For others, it was Mark Ingram’s 38 yard on run on literally the first play from scrimmage for the Saints.
For me, it was Sidney Jones rolling his ankle and going out for the game. The third game ending injury for a guy in the span of about a quarter (Avonte Maddox, Jason Kelce). That’s insane. That doesn’t happen. The Saints were my Super Bowl pick (not to brag or anything) but all these injuries are not normal and frankly, it’s just demoralizing to watch Cre’von LeBlanc play football. That does not sound like a football player, that sounds like a farm to table restaurant in Rittenhouse.
We all watch a ton of football, and every team has injuries, but the Eagles are flat out running out of able bodies to play. Here’s a deeper breakdown on how disastrous the Eagles injury situation has been this year:
According to Spotrac, the Eagles have the 4th most amount of total cap space tied up with players on injured reserve ($19.8M). Only the Jaguars ($22.7M), the Seahawks ($23.9M) and the 49ers ($45.6M) have more. This is before Avonte Maddox and Rasul Douglas end up on IR, which I’m assuming happens. Knees don’t bend they way theirs bent. This would put the Eagles most likely second on this list. The 49ers will never be caught, that Jimmy G contract is not off to a hot start. Additionally, the Eagles have more players on the IR than these other teams mentioned, the other teams just have more expensive players on the list.
And it’s not just that the Eagles have had a lot of severe, season ending injuries. It’s all the injuries in between that have killed any rhythm and momentum this team could gain. Wentz gets a late start to the year, Lane Johnson isn’t good to go for the crucial Cowboys game, the Darren Sproles saga…pick your position group. The Eagles ALWAYS look out of sync. Part of that is definitely coaching, but a larger part of that is always having interchange your rotations on a week to week basis.
Here’s a breakdown of the projected Eagles starting 11 on both sides of the ball. If they are in red, they’ve missed time in some form or fashion for a rash of different injury related reasons:
Offense:
QB – Carson Wentz
RB – Jay Ajayi
WR – Alshon Jeffery
WR – Nelson Agholor
WR – Mike Wallace
TE – Zach Ertz
T – Jason Peters
G – Isaac Seumalo
C – Jason Kelce
G – Brandon Brooks
T – Lane Johnson
Defense:
DE – Derek Barnett
DL- Fletcher Cox
DL – Tim Jernigan
DE- Brandon Graham
LB – Jordan Hicks* (listed as week to week)
LB – Nigel Bradham * (suspension)
LB – Kamu Grugier-Hill
CB – Jalen Mills
CB – Ronald Darby
FS – Malcolm Jenkins
SS – Rodney McLeod
Total: 13 starters, plus others
And this doesn’t even take into consideration role players who play significant time who have also been hurt. Darren Sproles has played A game, and it would be great to have him with the starter on IR. Even with them both out, Corey Clement had missed time at one point too. Or, how about safety? Rodney McLeod goes on IR, Corey Graham gets a concussion, Maddox steps in (and plays well) and his knee buckles too. Even the role guys for role guys are hurt. It’s like if Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons got hurt, but then TJ McConnell and Landry Shamet did too. So, Furkan Korkmaz and Jonah Bolden had to play 40 minutes a night.
Look, I know injuries can’t be an excuse in the NFL. This team has a bunch of other issues, specifically coaching wise. Mike Groh seems to be a huge moron and Jim Schwartz coverage schemes sometimes are really head-scratching. But, this injury phenomenon is not normal. I still have faith in this team. They have a run in them. But they need to be SOMEWHAT healthy (i.e. Mills, Jernigan) to make that run.