Playoff football is back for Philadelphia! The Eagles will take on the Bears this Sunday thanks to Chicago beating the Minnesota Vikings last week. Both teams are banged up from the 16 games they played this season, but the Eagles know they will be without at least four players when they hit the field in the Windy City, and possibly be without as many as eight.
D.J. Alexander is a key special teamer and was the one who recovered the fumble against the Rams to help the team waste more game clock and help win the game. Him being out would be a noticeable hurt to that part of the game.
The last game Sidney Jones played in was Week 14 at Dallas. There is no point in playing him while injured because the other cornerbacks have been holding their own of late and not making any noticeable mistakes. He apparently isn't healthy enough yet to not be targeted constantly by opposing QBs.
Mike Wallace was taken off of injured reserve last week and was back on the practice field for the first time since his Week 2 injury. But it seems that he still isn't ready for live action yet. If the Eagles advance to the Divisional Round, Wallace might be able to make his triumphant return then.
Carson Wentz is dealing with a fractured vertebrae, and isn't healed enough to be involved in any action. If the Eagles do advance to the next round and Wentz becomes healthy enough to play, it will be interesting to see if Pederson is brave enough to take out a red-hot Nick Foles to put his franchise QB back in.
Michael Bennett will be questionable. He has been listed as questionable for the past five weeks with a foot injury too and ended up playing in all of those games. Unless there is a serious setback, he should be good to play.
Avonte Maddox has been balling lately. He would be a huge loss for the Eagles secondary if he can't go.
Jason Peters is dealing with a lot of injuries, but since this game could potentially be Peters' last game as an Eagle, he will likely force himself onto the field no matter what.
Even though Isaac Seumalo is listed as questionable, he is expecting to not only be active, but to jump over Stefan Wisniewski and start at LG on Sunday.
The Bears are dinged up as well, but will only have four players whose status for Sunday is up in the air.
Aaron Lynch is Khalil Mack's backup at the OLB position, and in his limited role he was still able to record three sacks this season. He has not played since he suffered his injury on December 16th against Green Bay. If he is unable to go, the Bears won't have any reliable players to take snaps for Mack if he needs some rest or if he suffers an injury.
DeAndre Houston-Carson is a depth option at safety for the Bears. In the same scenario as Khalil Mack's, if he can not go, then Adrian Amos won't have anyone reliable to replace him if he needs a break or if he himself gets injured.
Eddie Jackson a Pro Bowler and All-Pro safety that is one of the key leaders of the Bears defense. If he is unable to go, or is at least limited in his abilities, the Eagles offense has a chance to expose the Bears defense on deep passes.
Bilal Nichols is a starting defensive end for a scary Bears defense. Although he has only recorded three sacks this season, he would still be a substantial loss for Chicago if he isn't able to go, or if his injury limits him.
