Carter Out
Top Eagles D-Lineman Week-to-Week
PHILADELPHIA – An Eagles defense eyeing a rebound Monday night in Los Angeles will be without a crucial centerpiece, for at least a week.
According to a report from ESPN, Jalen Carter, 24, on Monday underwent a procedure on both shoulders. The report adds that Carter is receiving treatment on both shoulders and is considered week-to-week.
GETTY IMAGES: Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter is week-to-week following surgery on both shoulders.
Carter, who missed the first few training camp practices with a shoulder ailment, has been playing through the injury throughout the season. Following Friday’s 24-15 loss to the Bears, Carter even alluded to dealing with something when assessing his uncharacteristic performance in a game in which Bears running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries.
“It’s my problems to deal with,” he said. “I ain’t finna tell everybody what I’m going through.”
And then on Wednesday, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed that Carter was in fact still battling through a shoulder injury.
“He does have a shoulder issue,” Fangio said. “He has been playing with it. Late in the game, he had a great play with it, but it’s definitely something there.”
The loss, for whatever period of time, is a significant blow to a unit that has been, at times, dominant. This week will be no exception, against a leaky Chargers offensive line. For perspective, Carter has played the sixth-most defensive snaps (581) for the Eagles, accounting for 72% of the total.
Against the Bears, Carter logged 61 of 87 defensive snaps, accounting for 70% of the total.
In Carter’s absence, the Eagles will turn to Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis and Byron Young to assume the lion’s share of snaps. Rookie Ty Robinson, who has appeared in six games (35 snaps) will also have to factor into the mix. The Eagles also have Gabe Hall and Ta’Quon Graham on the practice squad, should Carter’s absence require an extra body on game day.
Practice Report
With the Eagles gearing up for “Monday Night Football,” the team for the first time this week took to the practice field Thursday amid brisk and windy conditions. The media attended portion of practice, limited to warmups, provided noteworthy status updates.
Not practicing for the Eagles were RT Lane Johnson (foot) and DT Jalen Carter (shoulders). Johnson has been sidelined since suffering the injury in the team’s 16-9 win over the Lions on Nov. 16.
Thursday also welcomed a pair of Eagles back to practice, with S Marcus Epps (undisclosed) and WR Xavier Gipson (shoulder) participating at the start. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on Wednesday answered “yes” when asked whether he believed Epps would be ready for Monday night in Los Angeles as well as whether he’d be in contention to start.
As for Gipson, and whether the third-year pro would revert back to reprising his role as the Eagles’ kick and punt returner when healthy, special teams coordinator Michael Clay answered as followed:
“Everything is so fluid,” he said. “You just never know how the roster’s going to be dictated week in and week out. Obviously, you get injuries, you get people banged up, scheme, things of that nature. We just take it day by day and get everybody ready to get their numbers called. Obviously, there’s been guys that have been called up on the day of the game, so it’s just one of those things where we do here in the specialist room to make sure everybody’s ready to go.”
It’s worth noting the team last week signed WR/PR Britain Covey, who fulfilled the Gipson role Friday against the Bears, to the 53-man roster.
The official, and first, report of the week is due out later today.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com
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