The Eagles will be without starting left guard Allen Barbre (hamstring) and receiver Jordan Matthews (ankle) for the season finale on New Year’s Day at the Linc. Both are inactive.
Barbre came into the weekend listed as questionable with a hamstring injury that has bothered him since the Washington game and is officially inactive. He sat out against Baltimore and returned for the Giants' game last week, but played just 13 snaps.
With Barbre out, rookie Isaac Seumalo will get the start at left guard. Originally, head coach Doug Pederson said the plan was to start Stefen Wisniewski and replace him with Seumalo, but it appears he changed his mind. Sunday will be a chance for the coaching staff to evaluate Seumalo at left guard, where he could be a starter next season.
Matthews’ ankle has been an issue since the Green Bay game weeks ago. He was clearly hobbled some in the win over the Giants over a week ago. He came into the game listed as questionable.
This will be just Matthews’ second missed game ever – dating back to his childhood. He missed the Bengals' game earlier this season. Matthews finishes his season with 73 catches for 804 yards and three touchdowns.
Mychal Kendricks (quad) is also inactive after coming into the weekend as questionable. Kendricks doesn’t play much anymore, but he is a starter in the team’s base package.
The Eagles’ other questionable players: Jordan Hicks (ankle) and Seumalo (ankle) are active.
The Eagles’ other inactives are: CB Dwayne Gratz, OL Josh Andrews, OL Dillon Gordon and DT Taylor Hart.
That means that fan favorite Paul Turner is active for just the fourth time this season. He had been inactive for the last two games despite having an 80-yard performance against the Bengals a month ago. Turner will start in place of Matthews.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) is active for the first time since the Seattle game on Nov. 20.
Running back Terrell Watson is active after being signed from the practice squad this week. Pederson said he’ll be more of an emergency back, but might get some situational work.
Really, Darren Sproles and Byron Marshall will carry the load at running back for the Eagles on Sunday.