Eagles Rule Out Two Players vs. Bucs, DeVonta Smith IN
In a week filled with several players who were listed as limited participants in practice, the Philadelphia Eagles should be relatively healthy when they travel to the Gulf Coast of Florida to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night (7:15 p.m.) in the only matchup of two undefeated teams in Week 3.
Just two players were ruled out – receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring) and running back Boston Scott (concussion).
Of course, the Eagles’ long-term list is marred with season-ending injuries to slot cornerback Avonte Maddox (pec) and Zech McPhearson (Achilles), as well as a stint on injured reserve for linebacker Nakobe Dean.
The Eagles have depth at the running back position, with D’Andre Swift, Kenny Gainwell, and Rashaad Penny all expected to be active.
As for the receiver spot, well, the Eagles haven’t gone away from receiver A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, as well as tight end Dallas Goedert very often in the season’s first two games. Smith popped up on the injury report during the week with a hamstring/thigh designation, but there was never any real concern of him missing Monday's contest.
Watkins had just two catches before getting hurt against the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday night. Still, it feels like a big opportunity for Olamide Zaccheaus.
Quez Watkins will miss the Eagles' Week 3 game in Tampa with a hamstring injury.
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In his career, Zaccheaus has had 13 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa. During his time with the Atlanta Falcons, he played against the Bucs twice a year in the NFC Souths. The 164 yards receiving is tied for his most against a single team in his career.
Signed in the offseason as a free agent, Zaccheaus hasn’t done much, yet. He got just seven snaps in the opener then 35 in Week 2. He has yet to be targeted with a pass.
“Obviously Quez brings a type of speed that not a lot of people have,” said head coach Nick Sirianni on Saturday. “I like what OZ brings to our offense. He brings a toughness. We trust him. He's a savvy route runner. He's got great football instincts. If it's his turn to play this week, I've got a lot of faith in him that he'll do a really good job.”
There could also be a role in the passing game for punt returner/receiver Britain Covey, who was added to the 53-man roster earlier in the week.
The Eagles have three receivers on the practice squad who may also earn an elevation on gameday – Greg Ward, Devon Allen, and Joseph Ngata. One of the elevations will go to punter Braden Mann, but the Eagles still can elevate another player.
The Eagles’ injury report on Thursday listed as limited S Reed Blankenship (ribs), CB James Bradberry (concussion), DT Fletcher Cox (ribs), LB Zach Cunningham (ribs), DT Jordan Davis (ankle), RB Kenneth Gainwell (ribs), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring, thigh), TE Jack Stoll (ankle), DE Josh Sweat (toe).
On Friday, Cunningham, Davis, Scott, Smith, Stoll, and Sweat were still limited.
The Eagles will welcome the return of cornerback James Bradberry and safety Reed Blankenship, both key parts to the team’s secondary who were out in Week 2.
“Players like that, you want on the field,” said Sirianni. “It was great to get them back at practice this week, and you feel their presence out there. Just excited that they're ready to roll again and look forward to them being out there.”
