New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview: Key players, injuries, and more

The New York Jets will look to avoid falling to 0-4 when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. Here is a brief preview ahead of Sunday’s game.

The New York Jets are set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a Week 5 matchup that could end up looking a lot like their previous two contests.

Once again the Jets will be the heavy underdogs. Once again they will be without key starters such as Sam Darnold, C.J. Mosley, and Jordan Jenkins. And once again, it will be Luke Falk who will be tasked with leading a hopeless offense to any semblance of positivity.

Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

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Perhaps the Jets could pull off the shocking upset on the road against a stout Eagles team and prove everyone wrong. Or perhaps we’re in for yet another anemic display of Jets football.

We’ll have to wait and see.

But for now, let’s take a look at some key players to watch as well as an updated injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Next: Jets Players to Watch

Jets Players to Watch

Alex Lewis and Chuma Edoga, OL

The Jets offensive line has been downright atrocious through three games and arguably the biggest reason for the offense’s struggles. Fortunately, we’ll be seeing two new faces on the line when the Jets suit up in Philadelphia.

Alex Lewis will start in place of the injured Kelechi Osemele at left guard while rookie Chuma Edoga will get his first taste of playing time starting in place of Brandon Shell at right tackle. Against a fearsome front-four, the two newbies will be in for a rough matchup but it can’t be much worse than what we’ve seen in recent weeks.

Robby Anderson, WR

The Jets passing game has been nearly nonexistent through three games this season but they should have a golden opportunity to buck that trend in Week 5. Philadelphia will be down their top two corners while Sidney Jones is questionable with a hamstring injury.

This means that Robby Anderson will either be matched up with Jones or Rasul Douglas, the Eagles typical dime cornerback. Anderson will be given every opportunity to have his breakout 2019 performance so long as the Jets offensive line and coaching staff allows him to.

Next: Eagles Players to Watch

Eagles Players to Watch

Alshon Jeffery, WR

On the other end of the spectrum, the Jets will have the fortune of keying in on one primary receiver with the speedy deep threat Desean Jackson out of action. Alshon Jeffery will be the Eagles’ top target — apart from Zach Ertz — and will be a tall task for the Jets cornerbacks.

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Nate Hairston and Darryl Roberts are expected to get the start on the outside once again and they will likely have their hands full with the big-bodied, physical Jeffery. That said, the absence of Jackson should allow the Jets to focus their attention on Jeffery more than the other receivers.

The Cornerbacks

As mentioned before, the Eagles will be down both Ronald Darby and Avonte Maddox while Sidney Jones is questionable to play with a hamstring injury. Philadelphia promoted Ryan Lewis from their practice squad earlier in the week, perhaps as an indicator that Jones won’t play.

Either way, they will be starting their usual dime corner in Rasul Douglas and veteran Orlando Scandrick in the nickel who the team just signed a little over a week ago. It will be up to Douglas, Scandrick, Craig James, and perhaps Jones to limit a Jets passing attack that has been lacking through three weeks.

But if the early part of this season has been any indicator, that shouldn’t prove to be too challenging.

Next: Jets Injury Report

Jets Injury Report

Out/Doubtful

Sam Darnold, Jordan Jenkins, C.J. Mosley (D), Kelechi Osemele (D)

The first three players on this list are the usual subjects who have missed time already. Luke Falk will start for Sam Darnold. Tarell Basham will play in place of Jordan Jenkins. And Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman will continue to fill in for C.J. Mosley.

But the newest addition is left guard Kelechi Osemele who injured his shoulder in practice on Wednesday to go along with an already lingering knee injury. In his place, former Baltimore Ravens guard Alex Lewis will be called upon to start his first game with the team.

Questionable

Josh Bellamy, Daniel Brown, Demaryius Thomas, Quinnen Williams

There were two new additions to the injury report this week with receiver/special-teamer Josh Bellamy and tight end Daniel Brown both listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Brown is expected to be good-to-go but Bellamy was labeled “week-to-week” by Adam Gase earlier in the week so he’s someone to keep an eye on.

However, the good news is that both Demaryius Thomas and Quinnen Williams are expected to play barring any setbacks. The Jets could use all the receiver help they could get against a beat-up Eagles secondary so Thomas’ return is certainly promising.

Meanwhile, the Jets will see the return of their highly-touted first-round pick who’s been out since the second half of Week 1. The team would love to see if Williams could make an impact against a stout Eagles offensive line after missing the early portion of the season.

Next: Eagles Injury Report

Eagles Injury Report

Out/Doubtful

Ronald Darby, Alex Ellis, Desean Jackson, Timmy Jernigan, Avonte Maddox

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The Jets aren’t the only team dealing with a number of injuries at the moment as the Eagles have five players already declared “out” for Sunday’s game. Most notably are the absences of Darby and Maddox forcing players such as the aforementioned Rasul Douglas and Craig James into action.

Philadelphia was hopeful that Jackson would return this week but the speedster will miss another week dealing with an abdominal issue. Starting defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan will also miss this game with a foot injury forcing Akeem Spence into the starting lineup.

Questionable

Sidney Jones

The Eagles only have one player listed as “questionable” and that player is cornerback Sidney Jones. Already dealing with injuries to Darby and Maddox, the Eagles can ill-afford to have Jones miss this game.

However, the Washinton product is expected to be a game-time decision and could very well be out of action. His absence could force former practice squad members Craig James and Ryan Lewis into an extended role while Rasul Douglas and Orlando Scandrick are also in the mix.