Eagles Injury Update: Darren Sproles, Lane Johnson Expected to Play Vs. Cowboys

Doug Pederson on Wednesday morning said he expects right tackle Lane Johnson and running back Darren Sproles to be able to play on Sunday night against the Cowboys. 

Those are two big nuggets of news. Sproles hasn't played since Week 1 because of a hamstring injury and Johnson sprained his MCL in the Jaguars game on Oct. 28. 

Based on Pederson's press conference ... 

It sounds like the following players will be able to play Sunday: 

• Darren Sproles (hamstring)
• Lane Johnson (knee)
• Corey Graham (hamstring)

And the following won't: 

Philadelphia Eagles

Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Why Jeff Lurie has no problem with Jalen Hurts' stoic demeanor 

A look at the 11 Eagles free agents who haven't found jobs yet

• Jalen Mills (foot)
• Sidney Jones (hamstring) 
• Tim Jernigan (back) 

Those things could, of course, change, but that's how it sounded on Wednesday morning. 

Johnson's MCL sprain has been reported to be a Grade 2 sprain, which is normally a multi-week injury. Johnson had already been playing through a high ankle sprain. 

"Listen, Lane's a tough guy now. He is a tough guy," Pederson said. "In his mind, I think he would want to play. Our expectation is that he does play. At the same time, I say that, but I don't want to put somebody out there that might be less than 100 percent too. We'll get him ready like we get all the guys ready and the expectation is that he will play."

Sproles hasn't played since Week 1 and it feels like Pederson has been saying Sproles is close since Week 2. But getting him back to practice is a good sign he'll be able to go. So was cutting DeAndre Carter, who had been the team's punt returner in Sproles' absence. If Sproles can't play, Pederson said it has a punt return plan, but wouldn't divulge it. 

Pederson said Mills is day to day, but "might be a touch longer" after hurting his foot in Jacksonville. 

While Pederson said Graham will get practice time this week, he said Jones is a "little bit different," making it seem like Jones will be out for a while longer. 

If Mills and Jones can't play, the Eagles will likely start Rasul Douglas outside and might move Avonte Maddox to nickel cornerback to play Graham at safety. The Eagles also cut Dexter McDougle, who had been the nickel corner and brought in Cre'Von LeBlanc. A lot of moving parts. 

Finally, Jernigan (back) is still on the non-football injury list, but has been cleared to practice. The Eagles have three weeks to add him to their active roster. 

"We're going to bring [Jernigan] slowly, day by day," Pederson said. "We've got time with him. We don't have to do anything right now. We've got a couple weeks with him. Each day, we're going to give him more and more. He hasn't done anything football wise in a long time. So just want to see where he's at health-wise here each day."

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Eagles

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us