FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
–OUT: S Rodney McLeod (knee), RB Darren Sproles (hamstring)
–QUESTIONABLE: RB Corey Clement (quadricep), LB Nathan Gerry (groin), WR Alshon Jeffery (illness, shoulder)
TENNESSEE TITANS
–OUT: RB David Fluellen (groin), T Dennis Kelly (illness)
–QUESTIONABLE: QB Blaine Gabbert (concussion)
PLAYER NOTES
–QB Austin Davis was signed by the Titans to their 53-man roster as a free agent to back up Marcus Mariota with Blaine Gabbert in concussion protocol
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Second-year WR Taywan Taylor has shown vast improvement over the past couple of weeks. Taylor, a third-round pick from Western Kentucky last year, has caught eight of the 10 passes thrown his way and has the Titans’ only touchdown catch of the year. As a rookie last season, Taylor had just 16 catches all season and appeared to be lost in the shuffle. But the new, more open offense seems to suit his skill set.
GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Titans are back to starting Marcus Mariota at quarterback on Sunday. Mariota is still dealing with tingling and numbness in two fingers on his throwing hand. His accuracy looked OK when he came off the bench to lead the Titans to victory over Jacksonville, but he threw for just 100 yards and had no deep throws to speak of. The Eagles no doubt know Mariota is less than 100 percent and will challenge the Titans to make a play over the top in the passing game. The Titans need to run the ball consistently to stay out of long passing situations.
Defensively, the Titans need to make life uncomfortable for Eagles QB Carson Wentz, who is in just his second game back from a torn ACL. Wentz showed a bit of mobility last week against the Colts, but the Titans would like to keep him confined to the pocket if they can and win the matchups along the front. DT Jurrell Casey, in particular, has been solid with three sacks already.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Titans LT Taylor Lewan vs. Eagles DE Derek Barnett. It’s a homecoming for the Eagles’ standout pass rusher, who played high school football in the Nashville area and played college ball at the University of Tennessee. Lewan, coming off a concussion for the first time last week, wasn’t his usual solid self for parts of last week’s game, but got better as the game went on.
–Titans CB Malcolm Butler vs. Eagles WR Alshon Jeffrey. Jeffrey has been out of action, but it sounds as if he will play Sunday. Butler is known for taking chances, but he and the other Titans defensive backs can’t let Jeffrey beat them in the red zone, which is one of his strengths.
