Eagles Injuries: Latest on Jason Kelce, Miles Sanders and More
The Eagles came away with a much-needed 33-18 win over the New York Jets on Sunday to pull within a half a game of an NFC Wild Card spot, but it did come at the cost of some key players getting banged up.
During the victory over the Jets, which was the twelfth straight win against New York in 12 tries, star center Jason Kelce, running back Miles Sanders, and starting cornerback Steve Nelson all left the game with injuries and did not return.
During his day-after press conference on Monday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni gave injury updates on those three key Eagles, plus provided some info on Jordan Howard and Brandon Brooks.
Kelce, who missed much of the first half against the Giants with a knee injury but was able to return, had to leave the game against the Jets when he was rolled up with 2:13 left in the game.
“Jason -- obviously, everybody holds their breath when something like that happens to Jason. Got good, positive news back on him today. So, I'm not going to put a timetable on anybody, as you guys know, but we're hopeful after the bye, he'll be ready to go.,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said.
Nate Herbig came in for the second straight week in place of Kelce and proceeded to snap the ball over Gardner Minshew's head.
If Kelce is out for any length of time, Herbig would take over at center.
The Eagles were already down one running back heading into Sunday’s matchup as Jordan Howard missed the game with a knee injury and was inactive for the second game in a row. Boston Scott was active but missed practice all week with an illness and was a non-factor in the game.
"Not going to put a timetable on anything, but we're hopeful," Sirianni said about Howard's return in two weeks against Washington. "We know that his rehab is progressing and he's doing better each day."
With Howard out and Scott a non-factor, that left Miles Sanders as the workhorse back on Sunday and he responded with 24 carries for 120 yards and three catches for 22 yards before leaving the game in the second half with an ankle injury.
Sanders said after the game that he hopes and expects to be ready for the Washington game after the bye week.
Kelce isn't the only starting linemen injured, starting right guard Brandon Brooks, who has been out since suffering a pectoral strain back in Week 2 against the 49ers, still has no timetable on a return, but we might be closer to getting a decision on his status.
"I'll have more information after the bye week there with Brandon Brooks," Sirianni stated.
Sirianni also gave a positive update on Nelson, who left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return, but it sounds like he could return for the game against Washington.
"Steven [Nelson], should be good after the bye," Sirianni said.