Several Key Eagles Miss Practice Again Before 49ers Game

Several key players missed practice on Thursday as the Eagles continued to prepare for the 49ers on Sunday at Linc.

DT Fletcher Cox (groin), LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring), TE Dallas Goedert (forearm), TE Grant Calcaterra (ankle) and S Justin Evans (knee) all did not practice Thursday.

All five of those players were also listed as non-participants on Wednesday when the Eagles released an estimated injury report following a walkthrough.

The 32-year-old Cox rarely misses games. But he injured his groin in the first half against the Bills and when he tried to return in the third quarter, he couldn’t. Cox was a spectator on Thursday but worked on a side field. If anyone on the team could play in a week without practice, Cox would be a strong candidate.

Meanwhile, it looks like Cunningham will be out this week with the hamstring injury he suffered against the Bills. Without him, the Eagles will have to rely on Nicholas Morrow, Christian Elliss and Ben VanSumeren at linebacker. The Eagles welcomed former All-Pro Shaquille Leonard for a visit earlier this week, but he has yet to sign with a team.

There was some hope that Goedert could return for this game, but he did not practice Thursday as he continues to recover from a broken forearm and subsequent surgery. Goedert caught a few passes on a sideline Thursday but was not wearing a helmet.

When Goedert was injured before the bye week, the Eagles did not place him on IR, signaling hope that he could return within four weeks. If Goedert is unable to play against the 49ers, this would be his third missed game.

All seven players who started the week as limited were back on the field Thursday: OT Lane Johnson (groin), DT Jordan Davis (hamstring), WR AJ Brown (hamstring), WR DeVonta Smith (knee), RB D’Andre Swift (ankle), DT Milton Williams (concussion).

It will mean a lot to the Eagles if Johnson is actually able to play in this game. While Jack Driscoll did a good job in Johnson’s place last week, Nick Bosa comes to town on Sunday.