Eagles face dire situation with key injuries and QB uncertainties
The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare for a crucial Week 15 matchup against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. After a disheartening 22-19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, the Eagles, now 8-5, are seeking to snap a rare three-game losing streak under head coach Nick Sirianni. The Raiders, languishing at 2-11, have suffered through seven consecutive defeats and recently made headlines by parting ways with former Eagles coach Chip Kelly on November 23.
Coaching Changes in Las Vegas
Kelly, who led the Eagles from 2013 to 2015, was serving as the offensive coordinator under veteran head coach Pete Carroll but has been replaced by Greg Olson. Olson, a seasoned NFL assistant with a coaching career spanning over 35 years, has been elevated from his previous role as quarterbacks coach. His experience includes stints as offensive coordinator with teams such as Detroit, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville, as well as two earlier tenures with the Raiders. This week, Olson may find himself relying on backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, as starter Geno Smith is nursing a shoulder injury. Although Carroll has yet to rule Smith out for the game, the QB1’s inability to practice on Wednesday has raised concerns about his availability.
Eagles Struggling with Key Injuries
The Eagles’ situation is further complicated by the absence of two critical players: defensive tackle Jalen Carter and right tackle Lane Johnson. Both men were listed as “did not participate” in the team’s first practice report of the week, which was merely an estimation. Meanwhile, left guard Landon Dickerson was estimated as limited after leaving Monday’s game for 11 offensive snaps due to a calf strain before ultimately returning.
In Dickerson’s absence, veteran Brett Toth stepped in admirably, showcasing his versatility as a backup center and guard throughout the season. On a more encouraging note, linebacker Zack Baun and long snapper Charley Hughlett were both estimated as full participants in practice. Hughlett, who has been on injured reserve, is expected to be activated ahead of Sunday’s contest after having his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week. The team also made the decision to waive long snapper Cal Adomitis, who had filled in for Hughlett during his absence.
Roster Moves and Implications
In another development, rookie offensive tackle Myles Hinton’s 21-day practice window expired without the Eagles adding him to the 53-man roster. As a result, Hinton will revert back to injured reserve and remain sidelined for the remainder of the season.
As the Eagles gear up to face the Raiders, the stakes are high. With a combination of critical injuries and uncertainties at the quarterback position, the team must rally to regain their footing and avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in front of their home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. The outcome of this game could be pivotal as they aim to stay in the playoff hunt amidst mounting challenges.
