Making Sense Of the Eagles’ Inactives

The following Eagles will be inactive for today’s 1 p.m. opener against the Browns: Riley Cooper, David Sims, Dion Lewis, Colt Anderson, Nate Menkin, Vinny Curry and Demetress Bell.

What stands out? Lewis, who was listed as questionable on the injury report, won’t play, meaning the Eagles’ backup running backs are rookies Bryce Brown and Chris Polk. Don’t expect LeSean McCoy to come off the field much. When Brown plays, look for him to get the ball or be used as a receiver. Not sure the coaches trust him in pass protection at this point.

As expected, Cooper is out, meaning the Eagles will go with four active wide receivers. Undrafted rookie Damaris Johnson should see some snaps on offense, along with being the team’s primary punt returner.

The Eagles have two backup offensive linemen active: rookie Dennis Kelly and center/guard Dallas Reynolds. Bell being inactive is not a surprise, given how lost he’s looked in the preseason. But it is more proof of how disappointed the coaching staff is in his development. Kelly has seen reps at both tackle spots. He also played guard in the preseason.

Defensively, the only lineman who is inactive is Curry, the rookie second-round pick. The Eagles will likely use all nine active defensive linemen. Fletcher Cox has been dealing with knee inflammation so it’ll be interesting to see how many snaps he plays. And Jason Babin missed the entire preseason with a calf strain. Babin, Trent Cole, Phillip Hunt, Brandon Graham and Darryl Tapp will rotate at defensive end. Cox, Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri and Cedric Thornton will rotate at defensive tackle.

The Eagles have all six linebackers active (DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Jamar Chaney, Akeem Jordan, Casey Matthews and Brian Rolle), and could play all of them on defense.

All five cornerbacks (Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Brandon Boykin, Curtis Marsh and Brandon Hughes) are active. Boykin will be the team’s nickel corner. Marsh will be the first man in should Asomugha or Rodgers-Cromartie go down.

And finally, the Eagles only go with three safeties. That means Jaiquawn Jarrett is up should Nate Allen or Kurt Coleman get injured. Sims, acquired last week from the Browns, obviously wasn’t up to speed just yet. And Anderson continues to rehab a torn ACL.

For the Browns, linebacker Scott Fujita is not active. Fujita initially faced a suspension from the Saints bounty scandal, but that ruling was overturned Friday afternoon.

Don’t forget to join me and Tim for a live chat during the game.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.