At a Glance
- All 53 Eagles players practiced Friday after Thursday rest day for Dickerson and Toth
- Lane Johnson expected to return after missing seven weeks with Lisfranc injury
- 21 of 22 starters available Sunday with only rookie safety Drew Mukuba ruled out
- Why it matters: Philadelphia’s health advantage could be decisive against injury-riddled 49ers in wild-card clash
The Eagles enter Sunday’s wild-card matchup against San Francisco at peak health, with every active roster member participating in Friday’s practice session.
Perfect Practice Attendance
Thursday’s non-participants Landon Dickerson (rest) and Brett Toth (concussion) returned to the field Friday, helmets in hand, completing the 53-man practice attendance. This marks a dramatic turnaround from Thursday when both players sat out for different reasons.
The team’s medical staff cleared Toth through concussion protocol, while Dickerson’s rest day appears to have achieved its intended purpose of keeping the starting left guard fresh for postseason play.
Johnson’s Anticipated Return
Lane Johnson practiced for the third consecutive day after sustaining a Lisfranc sprain against Detroit on November 16. The All-Pro right tackle’s potential return would restore Philadelphia’s starting offensive line just in time for their playoff push.
Johnson’s injury forced him to miss the final seven regular-season games, creating a significant void in pass protection that the team hopes to fill Sunday.
Limited Players Progressing
Three Thursday limited participants continued their practice work Friday:
- Jalen Carter (hip) – practicing for second straight day
- Dallas Goedert (knee) – maintaining his practice schedule
- Grant Calcaterra (ankle) – continuing rehabilitation work
All three players appear on track to suit up against the 49ers, though final game status remains pending until the injury report release.
The Only Absence
Rookie safety Drew Mukuba stands as Philadelphia’s lone unavailable starter, having fractured his ankle in late November requiring surgical intervention. The injury occurred during practice, sidelining the defensive back for the remainder of the season.
Mukuba’s absence leaves the Eagles with 21 of their intended 22 starters available for postseason competition.
Organizational Health Philosophy
Nick Sirianni emphasized the team’s commitment to player availability throughout the season.
The head coach explained:
> “There’s two things that need to happen. You’ve got to have your players available, and you do different things to make sure that happens throughout the year, but it is so important that you continue to get better as the season goes on.”
Sirianni credited the organization’s comprehensive approach to maintaining player health, including practice intensity management and resource utilization.
He continued:
> “Our guys do such a good job of using the resources they have, taking care of themselves, and I think we have a pretty good process. As an organization, I think we take a lot of pride in that.”
Historical Health Success
Philadelphia’s current health status continues a pattern of postseason availability. The Eagles had all 22 starters available for Super Bowl LVII and 21 of 22 for last year’s Super Bowl LIX.
This consistency in keeping key players healthy has become a point of organizational pride and competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- 53 healthy players gives Eagles maximum flexibility against 49ers
- Lane Johnson’s return would restore offensive line continuity after seven-week absence
- Only one starter unavailable represents exceptional postseason health
- Practice availability suggests minimal game-day injury concerns
- Health advantage significant against injury-depleted San Francisco roster
Philadelphia enters Sunday’s contest with optimal health as they seek to extend their season against a 49ers team dealing with multiple key injuries.
