:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52110537/621456728.0.jpeg)
There aren't many surprises on the Bengals and Eagles’ final injury reports released on Friday.
As expected, Philadelphia will be without starting running back Ryan Mathews, who is dealing with a knee injury. This could actually be bad news for the Bengals defense. Mathews is more of a straight-line back, which this defense is better at defending.
It’s the speedier backs who do damage outside the tackles that give Cincinnati more trouble. That’s exactly what Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner do for the Eagles.
The Eagles are also without starting right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai due to a back injury. The only other player on the injury report is No. 1 wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who is questionable to play with an ankle injury. The team is calling him a game-time decision.
As for the Bengals, they have ruled out A.J. Green for this matchup. The hope is Green can return next week vs the Browns, but even that looks iffy. Still, Green maintains if he can return this year, he will.
Also ruled out was Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry, while tight end C.J. Uzomah is listed as doubtful. Both have calf injuries that have limited them for the past week. Neither practiced on Thursday or Friday.
Backup safety Derron Smith has been ruled out thanks to the thigh injury that sidelined him last week as well. With Shawn Williams back healthy, Smith's absence is not as big of a loss this week.
Long-snapper Clark Harris is listed as doubtful, which means Tyler Ott is up for another start. Ott was just signed by the Bengals early last week due to Harris' injury. Those are the only five Bengals remaining on the final injury report heading into Sunday's game.
Here's the final practice and injury report for the Bengals and Eagles:
BENGALS |
Injury |
WED |
THUR |
FRI |
STATUS |
| QB AJ McCarron | Neck (Non-Injury Related) | DNP | FP | FP | |
| WR A.J. Green | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| S Derron Smith | Thigh | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| OT Andrew Whitworth | Non Injury Related | DNP | -- | -- | |
| TE/FB Ryan Hewitt | Foot | LP | LP | FP | |
| G Clint Boling | Shoulder | LP | FP | FP | |
| DE Carlos Dunlap | Thigh | LP | FP | FP | |
| DE Wallace Gilberry | Calf | LP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| LS Clark Harris | Groin | LP | LP | LP | DOUBTFUL |
| TE Tyler Kroft | Concussion | LP | FP | FP | |
| WR Brandon LaFell | Knee | LP | FP | FP | |
| TE C.J. Uzomah | Calf | LP | DNP | DNP | DOUBTFUL |
| S Shawn Williams | Hamstring | LP | LP | FP | |
| WR James Wright | Hamstring | -- | LP | FP | |
EAGLES |
Injury |
WED |
THUR |
FRI |
STATUS |
| RB Ryan Mathews | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| WR Jordan Matthews | Ankle | DNP | LP | DNP |
QUESTIONABLE |
| T Halapoulivaati Vaitai | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| G Brandon Brooks | Illness | FP | -- | -- | |
| DE Marcus Smith | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP |
Bold - Change From Prior Day
DNP - Did Not Participate
LP - Limited Participation
FP - Full Participation
Game Status
Out = Player will not play
Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play
Questionable = 50% or greater chance a player will play
(-) = Not Listed - No game status available / will play