Daniels Nears Return as Eagles Pile Up Injuries Before London Trip
The Philadelphia Eagles' injury report grew significantly on Wednesday, with Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith both sitting out practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. In Washington, quarterback Jayden Daniels moved closer to his season debut after returning as a full practice participant, while Baltimore and the Los Angeles Chargers face lingering uncertainty over Lamar Jackson and Joe Alt, respectively.
Barkley and Smith were both held out with hamstring injuries. Smith had already missed all of last week's practice and sat out against the Los Angeles Rams, and Wednesday's absence reinforced expectations that he could miss extended time. Barkley, limited to four snaps in Sunday's loss, is considered week-to-week but is not believed to have suffered a serious injury. Both players add to a growing list that includes tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), linebacker Zack Baun (concussion) and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (knee), along with guard Landon Dickerson and tight end Eli Stowers, who remain on injured reserve. Right tackle Lane Johnson's retirement earlier this week further thins Philadelphia's depth as the team prepares for its trip overseas. floorball bets
In Washington, Daniels took part fully in Wednesday's session, putting him on track to start Sunday at home against the New York Giants - three weeks after dislocating his left elbow in a Week 2 loss to Dallas, the second such injury of his career. Daniels practiced wearing a brace he said he plans to continue using, telling reporters, "I'm going to embrace the brace," and adding that he is adjusting to playing with it: "It's kind of part of me now... I'm not really just thinking about it, I'm out there playing." Head coach Dan Quinn said the team has worked with Daniels on technique to protect the elbow, likening it to how a running back shields the ball. Giants coach John Harbaugh said his team is preparing as though Daniels will play, and Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter said Washington's quarterback should expect no hesitation in contact: "With the injury he has, we want him to run. We kind of encourage it, just to see how he reacts."
Lamar Jackson did not practice for the Ravens on Wednesday, three days after rolling his ankle in Baltimore's win over Tennessee, an injury that kept him out of the second half. He was not made available to the media. Coach Jesse Minter said a decision on Jackson's Week 5 status will likely come later in the week, noting the quarterback's experience could allow him to play without a full week of practice if necessary: "I think he's in that category, based on everything that he has accomplished." Should Jackson be unable to go, Tyler Huntley - who started wins over Chicago and Green Bay last season - would take over under center. Several other Ravens also missed practice, including edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (hamstring/calf), tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe/ankle) and guard Andrew Vorhees (foot), while tight end Durham Smythe was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury. Baltimore is scheduled to play at Atlanta on Sunday night.
The winless Chargers, meanwhile, are expected to be without right tackle Joe Alt for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos because of a neck injury sustained in last week's loss to Seattle, according to NFL Network. Alt did not practice Wednesday and was one of eight Chargers players held out, a sign the team may be managing his recovery through the week rather than pushing for a quick return. Los Angeles has no plans to place him on injured reserve. He was replaced by Travis Burke after leaving last week's game in the first half.
