Evaluating Philadelphia Eagles' Injury Situation Entering Week 4

The Philadelphia Eagles were remarkably healthy throughout the 2013 season. Although they lost starting wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to an ACL tear during training camp, their only significant injury was to quarterback Michael Vick, and that opened the door for Nick Foles' historic breakout campaign. 

That luck appears to be changing or regressing to the mean this season.

Heading into a crucial cross-country matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, the Eagles are one of the more banged-up teams in the league. It's not that they have 10 or 11 players injured; rather, it's who on their team is injured. 

The following slides will highlight five current injury concerns for the Eagles. 

LeSean McCoy

USA TODAY Sports

The All-Pro running back for the Eagles has not been his usual dominant self through the first three games of the 2014 season. Whether it's just a slow start, the result of a depleted offensive line or the result of some nagging injuries, LeSean McCoy has really struggled.

He took a hard hit against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and briefly left the game but later returned. However, he carried 20 times for just 22 yards, easily the worst single-game performance of his career. 

"

Correct RT @eaglescentral: I heard nothing about Nick Foles or LeSean McCoy at all today. Should I just assume they're both totally healthy?

— Dave Spadaro (@davespadaro) September 23, 2014"

But McCoy hasn't been experiencing the best week of practice. 

"

LeSean McCoy just left practice here at the Eagles facility. Looked almost like he was sick to his stomach.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 25, 201"

Again, he should be fine. It's just another one of a series of small injuries for McCoy, who also suffered a sprained thumb and minor turf toe during the preseason. But when it's the league's rushing champion, it's a situation to monitor. 

Josh Huff

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Even though he told Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com in late August that he could play "tomorrow" if he needed to, a sprained AC joint in his shoulder has kept Josh Huff sidelined for well over a month. But the rookie receiver thinks he will be able to make his season debut against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. 

"

Josh Huff was full-go in practice today. Said he feels great and is ready to play on Sunday on if he is active. Thought he might be last wk

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 24, 2014"

With the struggles by veteran Riley Cooper, expect the Eagles to give Huff every opportunity to win a starting job or at least a share of Cooper's snaps. 

Evan Mathis

Michael Perez/Associated Press

The All-Pro guard for the Eagles will miss his third straight game against the 49ers. Mathis suffered an MCL sprain against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 and is expected to miss about two months, as Eagles reporter Phil Sheridan noted to ESPN. 

"

Evan Mathis (MCL sprain) said rehab is going well & he's optimistic he'll be able to play vs Panthers Nov. 10, first game he's eligible for.

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) September 18, 2014"

The Eagles used their short-term injured reserve spot on Mathis. He was replaced by David Molk for the remainder of the season's first game against Jacksonville. 2012 fifth-round pick Dennis Kelly started the next two games at left guard, and undrafted rookie free agent Matt Tobin is expected to make his NFL debut as the starting left guard against the 49ers.

Jason Kelce

Michael Perez/Associated Press

The biggest injury for the Eagles this season is unquestionably the loss of center Jason Kelce, who suffered a sports hernia against the Washington Redskins in Week 3. Following surgery, Kelce is expected to be sidelined for approximately two months, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The good news, however, is that Kelce is expected to return before the end of the season.

This marks the second time in the last three seasons that Kelce suffered a major injury. He tore his ACL during the second game of the 2012 season against the Baltimore Ravens and missed the rest of the year. 

Starting in place of Kelce will be David Molk, a seventh-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2012. Molk has seen action for the Eagles at both left guard and center this year, but he's certainly no Jason Kelce when it comes to manning the middle of the offensive line. 

Mychal Kendricks

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The loss of Mychal Kendricks has been devastating for the Eagles defense. The third-year linebacker suffered a calf injury against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 and will likely miss his second straight game this week.

Although head coach Chip Kelly still insisted to reporters last Thursday that Kendricks' injury is a day-to-day thing (via Philly.com), that's clearly not the case. 

"

#Eagles LB Mychal Kendricks still walking with a limp. From what I'm hearing he's very unlikely for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 24, 2014"

The Eagles inserted veteran Casey Matthews into the game after Kendricks' injury in Week 2 but wisely chose to start Emmanuel Acho over Matthews in Week 3. Acho or Matthews will start until Kendricks returns, although the Eagles are also working rookie first-round pick Marcus Smith at inside linebacker.