The Philadelphia Eagles issued their second official injury report on Wednesday in advance of their Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night in São Paulo, Brazil.
Note that this report is an estimation since the Eagles are not actually practicing today. They had a Sunday-Monday-Tuesday practice schedule before flying to South America today on Wednesday.
The big news is that Devin White is listed under DID NOT PARTICIPATE. He is not traveling with the team to Brazil and has thus been ruled OUT of Friday’s game.
White unexpectedly appeared on Tuesday’s injury report as a limited participant due to an ankle injury. Apparently he got hurt in practice.
Based on how he took nearly all of the first first-team linebacker reps in practice this offseason, White was originally expected to be a Week 1 starter. But reports indicate Dean was actually slated to be the guy at MIKE:
Nakobe Dean was slated to be the #Eagles’ starting MIKE LB before the team listed Devin White on the injury report on Tuesday, NFL sources said.
Dean beat White out in training camp.
It’s’ unclear what role the Eagles had for White, if any, on defense. Nevertheless, he wasn’t… https://t.co/eZOFZNiZN4
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 4, 2024
Further, there was reportedly some buzz the Eagles might actually trade White as the team trimmed their roster from 90 players down to 53:
There were murmurs that the Eagles could trade Devin White before the cutdown—Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean both were really good in camp. So, fair or not, White missing the opener won’t help his case for a big role in the defense. https://t.co/6Sm5wIIETw
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 4, 2024
Interesting.
White, who got benched late last season, did not set the world on fire in training camp. But he did have some moments where his athleticism stood out. Dean had a rough start to camp (as Vic Fangio even publicly acknowledged) but he finished the summer strong.
The thought here was that White and Zack Baun would start but Dean would still see a good amount of playing time, perhaps even the most out of any linebacker in a given game. We could see a three-man rotation when White is able to play again; Fangio admitted there’s an ongoing battle at the position.
Then again, Fangio also said it would be ideal to settle on two full-time starters. So, here’s an opportunity for Dean to capitalize on the momentum and establish himself. There’s no question he’s looked good playing downhill but he still must prove 1) that he’s not a liability dropping back into coverage and 2) he can stay healthy.
White’s absence means the Eagles have three backups behind Dean and Baun: Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Ben VanSumeren. Burks missed most of camp but did some nice things in the final preseason game. JTJ and BVS both showed intriguing potential on both defense and special teams.
One player was listed under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: Isaiah Rodgers.
Rodgers was also listed as limited on Tuesday due to a hand injury. The current expectation is that he’ll be playing on the outside when the Eagles shift Quinyon Mitchell inside to line up as the nickel cornerback. If Rodgers isn’t able to play, it’ll be Kelee Ringo in his stead.
The Eagles listed two players under FULL PARTICIPATION: A.J. Brown and Landon Dickerson.
They were listed as limited on Tuesday with “rest” designations. They’re good to go.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB Devin White (ankle) — ruled OUT, was not able to travel with the team
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Isaiah Rodgers (hand)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR A.J. Brown (rest)
OG Landon Dickerson (rest)
GREEN BAY PACKERS INJURY REPORT (WEDNESDAY)
The Packers also did not practice on Wednesday due to travel so this report is an estimation as well.
Two changes to Green Bay’s Tuesday injury report:
1) Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd was upgraded from DNP to limited. Seems like he might be able to play, albeit at less than 100%. If Lloyd is active, he’ll serve as Josh Jacobs’ backup. Third-string running back Emanuel Wilson is still dealing with a hip issue.
2) Second-string tight end Tucker Kraft was added to the injury report with a back issue. He was listed as limited. We’ll see how he’s listed on Thursday’s final injury report.
Elsewhere, starting wide receiver Romeo Doubs was listed as limited again due to a hand issue.
Depth defensive lineman Arron Mosby was ruled OUT due to a personal matter; he is not traveling to the game.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
LB Edgerrin Cooper (hip)
WR Romeo Doubs (hand)
TE Tucker Kraft (back)
RB MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring)
DB Carrington Valentine (hamstring)
RB Emanuel Wilson (hip)