The Atlanta Falcons will be without a key piece of their linebacking corps for their Week 2 game at Philadelphia on Monday Night Football.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have some major injury issues to sort out on offense entering the game.
Looking to avoid an 0-2 start — with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on deck — the Falcons enter Monday’s game at the Linc about as desperate as an NFL team can be this early in the season. They’ll need a much better performance from quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was essentially a sitting duck for Pittsburgh’s pass rushers in the Falcons’ 18-10 loss to the Steelers in Week 1.
Looking to start 2-0 for the third consecutive season, Philly will be looking to build off of what was a solid debut for new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. With No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown dealing with a hamstring issue, DeVonta Smith will look to continue being a catalyst for QB Jalen Hurts. All eyes, of course, will be on running back Saquon Barkley as well after he crushed his Eagles debut with three touchdowns in the team’s 34-29 win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.
The Eagles had their moments defensively in Week 1, notably Zack Baun’s huge night as both an interior backer and pass rusher. Nakobe Dean will continue to start at middle linebacker ahead of veteran Devin White. And with Isaiah Rodgers set to return from the hand injury that kept him out Week 1, how the cornerback rotation shakes out with rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who’s off to a slow start to his NFL career, bears watching.
Eagles vs. Falcons Week 2: Full injury designations
Atlanta Falcons
Out
- LB Nate Landman (calf, quad)
Landman played in 54% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps against the Steelers, but he was unable to practice this week due to a calf issue. His absence severely limits the Falcons’ inside linebacker depth behind starters Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen.
- CB Antonio Hamilton (groin)
Hamilton, a nine-year NFL veteran, will have to wait another week for his season debut due to a nagging groin injury.
Philadelphia Eagles
Out
- WR A.J. Brown (hamstring)
Brown’s hamstring tightened up during Friday’s practice, per head coach Nick Sirianni, and the team backed him off for precautionary reasons. He was held out of Saturday’s practice, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the star wide out will miss Monday night's game. It's a major blow to the Eagles passing game, which will now run through Smith, Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert.
Questionable
WR Johnny Wilson (hamstring)
The rookie was another late addition, after not being listed with an injury on Friday’s practice report. Wilson was active in Week 1 but played sparingly. If Wilson is inactive, Jahan Dotson’s role will skyrocket, and veteran Parris Campbell will be a likely call-up from the practice squad.
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