Injury Report: Injuries Will Not Determine Winner of Giants-Eagles Matchup
By Curt Macysyn
There will be no excuses for the loser of the game between the New York Giants (3-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) on Sunday night. The G-men will be gunning for their fourth consecutive victory, while the Eagles will try to put some distance between themselves and the Giants. After five weeks, all NFL teams have lost players to injury, but comparatively speaking, both of these teams do not have too much to complain about at this point in the season..
The Giants will be missing starting running back Rashad Jennings, who injured his knee in the win against the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, the Eagles will be without center Jason Kelce, who injured his abdomen against the Washington Redskins in week three and had hernia surgery. Both teams also are monitoring key linebackers who may not be able to play as well.
New York Giants
The biggest news is not who is on the injury list, but who is not on the list. Odell Beckham, Jr. is not listed for the first time this season, so expect the Eagles to get a healthy dose of the LSU rookie in the offense and the return game as well. Another rookie, Andre Williams, will start in place of the injured Rashad Jennings this week. Jennings has a sprained knee suffered against the Falcons last week. All in all, the offense should be running at peak effectiveness with a pretty full cast of characters. Peyton Hillis becomes more important to Big Blue as he will spell Williams at running back, and Michael Cox is back from the practice squad and could see kickoff return time.
Defensively, it is a bit of a different story. Starting middle linebacker Jon Beason is called questionable because of his struggles with a foot injury first suffered in training camp. Jameel McClain has been an effective substitute for Beason, and another rookie, Devon Kennard, may see more time at the outside linebacker position, especially because reserve Spencer Paysinger has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Paysinger's absence also affects the special teams rotation.
Punter Steve Weatherford has gutted out the past several weeks with torn ankle ligaments, but Weatherford will be in uniform on Sunday, and he is a key component of New York's special teams game. A potential big loss for the Giants would be defensive end Robert Ayers, according to Jordan Raanan of nj.com, "[Ayers] sat out with neck spasms after being on the field throughout the week." Damontre Moore will be more important if Ayers cannot play.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie left the game several times with leg issues on Sunday, DRC will likely play, but the question remains how effective he will be. Under-rated corners Zack Bowman and Trumaine McBride will likely see the field more on Sunday night.
Philadelphia Eagles
You are only as strong as your weakest link, and without Jason Kelce at center, the Eagles will use David Molk in his place on the offensive line. At 6-1, 290 lbs., Molk is undersized, so look for Johnathan Hankins and Cullen Jenkins to try and push Molk around and disrupt the running and passing games. Two key special teams performers will be out for the Eagles, as Brad Smith and Chris Polk will miss Sunday's game. Look for do-everything Darren Sproles to see more return action than he normally would.
Mychal Kendricks will miss Sunday's game with a calf injury; the fourth game he has missed this season. Emmanuel Acho gets the start in place of Kendricks. Acho was an a sixth round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns (2012) and practice squad player for the Birds after being cut during training camp this year, so Kendricks will definitely be missed. Acho spent about a month on the Giants' practice squad in 2013, before the Eagles signed him to their active roster for the first time.
And if defensive leader DeMeco Ryans cannot play or finds himself limited, the Eagles will see a major downgrade in production if Casey Matthews gets significant playing time. Matthews is a shell of what his brother, Clay Matthews, brings to the dance for Green Bay, meaning he is not particular proficient in pass coverage or as a run defender.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Probable:
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Ankle/Hamstring)
P Steve Weatherford (Ankle)
Questionable:
DE Robert Ayers (Neck)
LB Jon Beason (Foot/Toe)
Doubtful:
None
Out:
RB Rashad Jennings (Knee)
LB Spencer Paysinger (Hamstring)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Probable:
None
Questionable:
LB DeMeco Ryans (Groin)
Doubtful:
None
Out:
C Jason Kelce (Hernia)
LB Mychal Kendricks (Calf)
RB Chris Polk (Hamstring)
WR Brad Smith (Groin)
For more Giants news and updates, visit Giants Central.
Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on aExaminer.com.
