Making Sense Of the Eagles’ Inactives

The following Eagles are inactive for tonight’s game against the Saints: QB Matt Barkley, WR Damaris Johnson, CB Curtis Marsh, safety Keelan Johnson, RB Matthew Tucker, G/C Julian Vandervelde and OT Dennis Kelly.

The big news here is that safety Earl Wolff is active. Wolff had missed five of the previous six games with a knee injury. The guess is that he’ll be part of a rotation with Patrick Chung at one safety spot. Kurt Coleman could get in the mix too. Wolff tried to play two weeks ago against the Bears, but only lasted one series. The coaches will likely have to just see how he holds up early in the game.

Colt Anderson returns to the lineup as well. He missed the previous two games with a knee injury and should provide a boost on special teams.

At wide receiver, Johnson is inactive for the second time this season. The Eagles go with five wide receivers: DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, Jason Avant, Brad Smith and Jeff Maehl. Johnson started the season as the team’s primary return man, but he’s been replaced. Smith will likely return kicks, and Jackson will return punts.

Vandervelde is inactive for the second straight game. Should Jason Kelce suffer an injury, Evan Mathis would likely slide over to center, and Allen Barbre would play left guard. Barbre and rookie Matt Tobin are the Eagles’ two backup offensive linemen.

Weather update: It’s 25 degrees and clear at the Linc with winds at 5 MPH.

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