Ryans: ‘We’ll See How It Goes’


Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Photo by: Jeff Fusco

DeMeco Ryans donned a helmet for the first time at practice this week, but said he likely won’t know until Sunday whether he’ll be able to play after suffering a groin strain against the Rams.

“When Sunday gets here, we’ll see how it feels,” he said. “If I can go, if I’m effective, feel like I can help my team, I’ll be out there. If I’m not, then I won’t be.”

On the Eagles’ official injury report, he was listed as limited.

“Just trying to get back to it, just trying to get back into where I can go full swing,” Ryans said. “Certain movements don’t feel too good. When I’m effective, I’ll be out there.”

The veteran linebacker has never had an injury like this. When he hurt his Achilles’ in Houston, his season was over. But Ryans said he’s never had a Thursday practice where he was unsure whether he’d play on Sunday.

Mychal Kendricks, meanwhile, was in a baseball cap and did not participate. It seems unlikely that he will be able to suit up for the Giants game.

If Kendricks and Ryans are both out, the Eagles would lean on Casey Matthews, Emmanuel Acho and Marcus Smith II. They would also probably play plenty of dime with Nolan Carroll II on the field.

Brad Smith was listed as out on Wednesday’s injury report with a groin injury. Chip Kelly revealed that Smith had surgery this week to address a “core muscle injury” and will be out a “couple weeks.” James Casey will serve as the emergency quarterback in his absence.

Chris Polk (hamstring) did not participate. Josh Huff is expected to the the primary kick returner this week in Polk’s absence. Huff’s special teams role will expand even more with Smith unable to go.

“He got his feet last week a little bit but will not pick up the slack in some of those areas,” said Kelly.

Here’s the full injury report:

Out: C Jason Kelce (hernia), WR Brad Smith (groin).

Did not participate: LB Mychal Kendricks (calf), RB Chris Polk (hamstring).

Limited: DeMeco Ryans (groin).

Full: LB Connor Barwin (knee), CB Brandon Boykin (hamstring), TE Trey Burton (achilles), CB Nolan Carroll II (hamstring), WR Josh Huff (shoulder), T Matt Tobin (ankle).

Sheil Kapadia contributed to this report.