Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith among Eagles ruled out vs. Jaguars
The Eagles head to London missing Barkley, Smith, their new starting center and two more regulars, though Dallas Goedert and Zack Baun are back.
Why it matters
The Eagles are down to the bone for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London. Saquon Barkley will miss his first start of the season after he got hurt early in the first quarter last week against the Rams, and DeVonta Smith sits out a second straight game with the same hamstring issue. That is the top running back and the top receiver gone for a game overseas.
The center spot is also a mess. Drew Kendall, who had just taken over the job in Week 2 after Cam Jurgens slid to left guard to cover for Landon Dickerson, could not practice this week and is out with a knee injury. Jurgens is no longer an option either, since the Eagles traded the two-time Pro Bowler to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. Jake Majors worked at center in the open portion of Wednesday's practice, which points to him getting the start.
What else is banged up
Safety Marcus Epps and receiver Hollywood Brown are also ruled out, Epps with a groin injury and Brown with an ankle injury. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is questionable even though he did not practice this week. Greenard left the Rams game in the third quarter and never returned, and this comes after he already missed the first two games of the season with a pec injury.
Receiver Dontayvion Wicks is a new name on the list. Coach Nick Sirianni said Wicks hurt his hamstring in Thursday's practice. He was limited Friday but does not carry an injury designation, so he appears available.
Some good news for Philly
It is not all bad. Tight end Dallas Goedert is back after missing time with a knee injury from Week 2 against the Titans, which gives Jalen Hurts a reliable target in the passing game. Linebacker Zack Baun has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play as well.
Hurts himself showed up on Friday's report with a calf injury, but he carries no designation, so he is playing. Between the skill-position losses and the center shuffle up front, Philadelphia's offense will look a lot different against Jacksonville than it has the rest of the season.
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.