Making Sense Of the Eagles Inactives

The following Eagles are inactive for today’s game against the Giants: QB Nick Foles, S Jerome Couplin, CB Bradley Fletcher, C Julian Vandervelde, OL Dennis Kelly, WR Jeff Maehl and DL Taylor Hart.

Fletcher (hip) was listed as questionable on the injury report. Nolan Carroll II will start at left cornerback opposite Cary Williams. Fletcher being out and Trent Cole being in is the only change from a week ago.

The Eagles have four cornerbacks active: Williams, Carroll, Brandon Boykin and Jaylen Watkins. The guess here is that Billy Davis will play more nickel, but if he opts to go dime, Watkins (a fourth-round pick in 2014) could get on the field.

Cole missed last week after undergoing hand surgery. But he’ll give it a go today at outside linebacker alongside Brandon Graham.

Don’t expect to see much of a change in terms of the rotation. Chip Kelly has been consistent in his approach: the best players will play, and the Eagles will try to win the game.

With a win, the Birds cannot improve their draft slot past 19. With a loss, they could get all the way up to 15, depending on what happens in other games.

The following Eagles were listed as probable on the injury report: DT Beau Allen (shoulder), DE Brandon Bair (knee), TE Trey Burton (back), Cole (hand), LB Mychal Kendricks (ankle), S Chris Maragos (hamstring), WR Jordan Matthews (knee).

They are all active and ready to go in the season finale.