The Philadelphia Eagles could face the Jacksonville Jaguars without six of the 11 offensive players who started their season opener.
Saquon Barkley, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert are dealing with injuries or unresolved availability as Philadelphia prepares for Sunday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The list includes four Pro Bowl players: Barkley, Johnson, Jurgens, and Dickerson. It also removes the Eagles’ starting running back, top wide receiver, starting tight end, and three members of the offensive line that opened the season together.
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Not all six have been ruled out. Philadelphia’s first Week 5 injury report will provide additional clarity, but the potential turnover illustrates how quickly the offense’s personnel situation has deteriorated.
Barkley sustained a hamstring injury during the first quarter of Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He finished with 8 yards on two carries, and coach Nick Sirianni did not provide a definitive outlook for Monday’s game. Barkley has rushed for 182 yards without a touchdown through four games. Jurgens entered the NFL’s concussion protocol Monday after self-reporting symptoms and undergoing an evaluation. His availability will depend on his progress through the league’s return-to-participation process.
Johnson missed the Rams game because of a personal matter. Sirianni said Monday that he had no update on the six-time Pro Bowl right tackle, leaving his Week 5 status uncertain. Rookie Markel Bell started in Johnson’s place against Los Angeles. Dickerson is on injured reserve, and his absence already forced the Eagles to reconfigure the interior offensive line. Jurgens moved from center to left guard, while rookie Drew Kendall took over at center. Willie Lampkin is listed behind Jurgens and could start if Jurgens cannot play.
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Smith missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury and reportedly could remain sidelined for multiple games. Goedert has missed the past two contests with a knee injury. Their absences have pushed rookies Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper into larger receiving roles while increasing the importance of Johnny Mundt, E.J. Jenkins and practice-squad tight end Zach Ertz.
The attrition extends beyond the original starters. Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve for core muscle surgery, leaving Will Shipley as the only healthy running back on the active roster. Fred Johnson, the primary backup at right tackle, also missed Week 4 with a knee injury.
Philadelphia gained only 172 yards and went 0-for-12 on third down against the Rams, finishing scoreless in the second half after taking a 20-10 lead. The Eagles will practice in Philadelphia before traveling to London on Friday. Whether they can stabilize their offense will depend heavily on which injured starters are cleared before departure.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Jaguars: Philadelphia could be without 6 offensive starters
