Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey may feel "great," but it does not look like that he will return from a hamstring injury in time for Sunday's matchup with the Eagles.
The All-Pro running back is listed as "doubtful" on the final injury report.
The Panthers will be without starting left tackle Cam Erving (neck) and starting linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot).
For the Eagles, Head Coach Nick Sirianni said that tackle Lane Johnson will miss a second straight game due to a personal matter. Jordan Mailata will return to the lineup after missing two games with a knee injury. Sirianni did not reveal what the starting lineup will be for the offensive line.
Three Eagles increased their participation on Thursday ahead of the Week 5 clash with the Carolina Panthers.
Did Not Participate
• T Lane Johnson – Personal Matter
There is no update on the tackle's status. Head Coach Nick Sirianni will address the media at his regularly scheduled Friday press conference at 12:15 PM.
• CB Darius Slay – Personal Matter
Slay was a full participant at Wednesday's practice. He posted the following message on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.
Limited Participation
• T Jordan Mailata – Knee
Mailata is working his way back from a knee injury that he suffered prior to the Week 3 game against the Cowboys. He was a limited participant in his return to practice on Wednesday as well.
Full Participation
• C Jason Kelce – Foot/Rest
• CB Avonte Maddox – Neck
• WR Quez Watkins – Knee
The Eagles allowed Kelce to rest on Wednesday, while Maddox and Watkins were limited.
Panthers Head Coach Matt Rhule told Philadelphia reporters on a conference call on Thursday morning that he is "hopeful" McCaffrey can suit up on Sunday. McCaffrey has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. McCaffrey was limited during Thursday's practice, but told reporters that he feels "great" and wants to play against the Eagles.
While McCaffrey's status is up in the air, the Panthers will likely be without starting left tackle Cam Erving, who has not practiced this week with a neck injury. Same goes for starting linebacker Shaq Thompson, who suffered a foot injury last Sunday against the Cowboys. Starting center Matt Paradis was added to the injury report Thursday. He did not participate in practice due to an illness.
The Eagles announced their first injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup at the Carolina Panthers.
Did Not Participate
• T Lane Johnson – Personal Matter
Johnson missed Sunday's game against Kansas City due to a personal matter. On Wednesday, Head Coach Nick Sirianni said, "He's not here today. He's still dealing with a personal matter. Really not going to go any more further into that, I'm still going to respect his privacy. But he is not here today."
Jack Driscoll started at right tackle in Johnson's place against the Chiefs.
• C Jason Kelce – Foot/Rest
Kelce has typically rested on Wednesdays. The All-Pro center was honored by Pro Football Focus as the best at his position in the league through the first quarter of the 2021 season.
Limited Participation
• CB Avonte Maddox – Neck
• T Jordan Mailata – Knee
Mailata suffered the knee injury leading up to the Week 3 game in Dallas and has missed the past two contests.
"We're excited to get him back out there and get moving around," Sirianni said. "So look forward to seeing him here in walkthrough in a little bit and then what he can do with his limited reps there today in practice."
Andre Dillard started in Mailata's place over the past two weeks.
• WR Quez Watkins – Knee
Watkins suffered the injury on Sunday against the Chiefs, but returned to the game.
As for Carolina, the Panthers acquired former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore in a trade with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The good news for the Eagles is that the cornerback is on the Physically Unable to Perform list and is not eligible to play Sunday.
The Panthers are hoping that running back Christian McCaffrey could return to action after suffering a hamstring injury on September 23. He was limited on Wednesday in his first practice since the injury.
Two players did not participate in Wednesday's practice for the Panthers: tackle Cameron Erving (neck) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot). Erving is "day to day," according to Head Coach Matt Rhule. Thompson injured his foot last week against Dallas. He did return to the game.
