Eagles defensive backs Nate Allen and Brandon Boykin both missed practice Wednesday with hamstring injuries.
Allen, a starting safety, and Boykin, the nickel cornerback, were both injured during the Eagles’ 24-20 loss to the Cardinals Sunday in Arizona.
If Allen can’t play, he would likely be replaced by second-year pro Earl Wolff, who has played only 17 defensive snaps this year and none since the 49ers game. Wolff did made six starts for the Eagles as a rookie last year.
Head coach Chip Kelly was lukewarm when asked Wednesday morning about Wolff’s progress at practice.
“Earl’s been OK,” he said. “I think he needs to be a little bit more consistent from that standpoint, but he's OK.”
If Boykin can’t go Sunday, Nolan Carroll would likely start in nickel.
The Eagles are thin at safety, with only the rarely used Wolff and special teamer Chris Maragos behind starters Allen and Malcolm Jenkins. Maragos has not played any defensive snaps this year.
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They are scheduled to give safety Chris Prosinksi a workout on Thursday, but even if they signed him, it would be virtually impossible for him to play as soon as Sunday.
Prosinski, a fourth-round pick of the Jaguars out of Wyoming in 2011, started 11 games for the Jaguars before being released earlier this year.
He was drafted with a pick acquired by the Jaguars from the Saints in exchange for former Eagle Matt Tennant.
Two safeties are on the Eagles’ practice squad: rookie fifth-round pick Ed Reynolds out of Stanford and undrafted Jordan Kovacs, who spent last year splitting time between the Dolphins’ active roster and practice squad.
Meanwhile, Darren Sproles (MCL sprain), Todd Herremans (biceps) and Mychal Kendricks (calf) were all full participants Wednesday.
Also listed as full participants were Jeff Maehl (foot), DeMeco Ryans (groin) and Jaylen Watkins (wrist).
Receiver and special teamer Brad Smith (groin), who hasn’t played since the Rams game, returned to practice Wednesday and was listed as a partial participant.