3 ruled out, 4 others questionable for Eagles vs. Rams in NFL Divisional Playoff Round

For the second straight week, the Philadelphia Eagles are a full-go on the injury front, this time in advance of Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field (3 p.m. EST, NBC/Peacock).

That statement does come with a caveat, of course, after the Eagles placed linebacker Nakobe Dean on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday morning. Philly is expected to turn to some combination of veteran Oren Burks and rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in Dean’s absence.

The rest of the Eagles starting lineup emerged from the week unscathed, including wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) and tight end Dallas Goedert (illness) who both missed practices.

The Rams enter the weekend with a few injury question marks, starting with top cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Los Angeles will need all the force it can muster on defense Sunday against one of the most dominant and diverse offensive attacks in football.

L.A. got some good news on tight end Tyler Higbee (chest), who was removed from the injury report altogether after he was hospitalized for coughing up blood following Monday night’s playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Who’s in and who’s out for the NFL’s Divisional Weekend? Here’s the latest injury news and updates, off of Friday’s final practice reports:

Eagles vs. Rams: Full injury designations

Out

• DT Larrell Murchison (foot) and LB Troy Reeder (hamstring)

It’s been a tough 2024 season for Murchison, who opened the year on injured reserve, returned to the team in early October, and promptly broke his foot in practice. He hasn’t played a snap this season as a result.

The Rams opened the practice windows for both Murchison and Reeder on Thursday, and they both returned to full practices. With the defense playing its best football of the season, the team will hold both players back with an eye on potentially activating them later in the postseason.

Questionable

• CB Ahkello Witherspoon (thigh)

The Rams held their top cornerback out on both Wednesday and Thursday, but he was able to return in a limited capacity on Friday. Head coach Sean McVay expects him to suit up on Sunday, which is good news for L.A.

• DT Bobby Brown III (shoulder)

The starting nose tackle was limited to a season-low 13 snaps last week after injuring his shoulder. There’s optimism that Brown will be able to play on Sunday, but he was unable to practice at all this week.

• LT Alaric Jackson (chest/knee)

McVay downplayed any real concern with his starting left tackle’s status, but after sitting out Wednesday’s practice with a chest issue, Jackson popped back up on the injury report on Friday with a new knee injury. He missed Friday’s session, possibly as a precaution, and how he holds up against Philly’s fierce defensive front on Sunday will be something to monitor.

• OG Justin Dedich (illness)

An illness kept Dedich from practicing on Friday. He has served as a backup left guard this season, while also filling a special teams role.

Philadelphia Eagles

Out

• DT Byron Young (hamstring)

Young has been on injured reserve since Oct.  25. The Eagles opened his 21-day practice window last week, and he’s been practicing in full with the team ever since. His inclusion on the injury report is more of a formality, as he has not played a snap for the Eagles this season.

MORE: CBS Sports writer reveals bold prediction for Eagles vs. Rams in NFL Divisional Round