LANDOVER, Md. — The Eagles' annual war of attrition started earlier than usual this season.
They entered FedEx Field for their season opener against the Washington Football Team on Sunday already missing six presumptive starters. By the end of their 27-17 loss, they were without three more.
The Eagles have spent the better part of three seasons as a team defined by overcoming injuries. Their Super Bowl LII run in 2017 was led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, who also led the team to the playoffs in 2018. Last year was underscored by Carson Wentz’s ability to gel with practice-squad receivers en route to a playoff berth.
For the start of coach Doug Pederson’s fifth season, he effect of the injury bug was apparent before the first snap. The offensive line is without Brandon Brooks and Andre Dillard for the season, barring a miraculous comeback from Brooks after tearing his left Achilles tendon in June.
Miles Sanders, the team’s lead running back, was out with a hamstring injury and didn’t travel with the team.
Lane Johnson tried to play but couldn’t go because of an ankle injury lingering from last year. Jack Driscoll filled in for Johnson, while Nate Herbig started at right guard. Both were making their first career start.
Making matters worse, Driscoll went to the locker room in the third quarter and was replaced by Jordan Mailata. Driscoll returned to the sideline in the fourth quarter, but he didn’t play another snap.
“We always say ‘next-man up mentality’ around here,” Wentz said. “Obviously, we miss those guys being out there with us and what they bring to the table. All three of those guys [Brooks, Johnson, and Sanders] are some of the best at what they do. But we feel confident in the guys that stepped on that field."
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (left) Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (center) and Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (right) walk off the field after the game. Eagles lose 27-17 to the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Washington Football Team running back Peyton Barber (left) dives into the end zone for a 4th quarter touchdown as Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (right) defends. Eagles lose 27-17 to the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz kneels on the turf after fumbling the football in the fourth quarter against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz fumbles the football against Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (left) and defensive end Chase Young during the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham walks off the field with a team medical member after Graham got hurt in the fourth quarter agains the Washington Football Team on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Washington Football Team defensive end Ryan Kerrigan runs back the fumbled football by Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 13, 2020. Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young watches Kerrigan run with the football.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Washington Football Team cornerback Ronald Darby attempts to intercept the football with safety Troy Apke against Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson during the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz wipes face on the sidelines after getting sacked during the third quarter against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is sacked by Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (left) Washington Football Team defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (center) and Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (right) in the 3rd quarter as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates his second quarter touchdown with teammates quarterback Carson Wentz and wide receiver Jalen Reagor against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (left) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Football Team safety Troy Apke (right) defends as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team during the 2nd quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (right) misses a tackle on Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (left) on a 2nd quarter pass play as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team during the 2nd quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020. Washington scored a touchdown on the drive.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles running back Boston Scott runs with the football against Washington Football Team strong safety Landon Collins during the first quarter on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
(L-R) Anna Hillman of Sicklerville, Shannon Rabbitt of Manahawkin and Hillman’s grandson 4-year-old Easton Caraluzzo of Williamstown cheer while watching the Eagles convert a 3rd and 22 in the first half at Innovative Catering Concepts in Williamstown, N.J.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson goes after Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins during the first quarter on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor (right) catches a 55-yard pass as Washington Football Team cornerback Ronald Darby (left) defends during the 1st quarter as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox wears a message on the back of his helmet that reads “It takes all of us.” Eagles lose 27-17 to the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
(left) Craig "Quimby" Chenosky, (center) former Eagles player Hollis Thomas, and others cheer during a watch party for the Philadelphia Eagles game against the Washington football team hosted by the Green Legion at Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck in Philadelphia. The Green Legion normally organizes road trips and home tailgates, but pivoted to a watch party because of the coronavirus attendance limits this year.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (center) fumbles the ball during the 1st quarter as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020. The Eagles recovered the ball.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz celebrates his first quarter touchdown reception with teammates Eagles center Jason Kelce and offensive guard Isaac Seumalo against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Craig "Quimby" Chenosky cheers after the first touchdown during the Philadelphia Eagles season opener against Washington at a watch party hosted by the Green Legion at Cavanaugh's Riverdeck on Sunday.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (right) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Football Team cornerback Ronald Darby (left) defends in the 1st quarter as the Eagles face the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
The Eagles and the Washington Football Team join together on the field as a sign of unity before they play at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Members of the Eagles and the Washington Football Team gather in unity before the start of their game on Sunday, September 13, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Eagles fans gather at a South Jersey catering company for the first game of the season.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson jogs off the field after the game. Eagles lose 27-17 to the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, MD on September 13, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
In Sanders' absence, Boston Scott, Corey Clement, and Jason Huntley combined for 17 attempts for 57 yards, good for 3.4 yards per carry.
The Eagles ran 50 passing plays to the 17 runs. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said the imbalance was because of the flow of the game and lack of production.
“We didn’t do our best in the run game,” Pederson said. “That’s an area that we’ve gotta clean up and make the necessary corrections.”
Defensively, the Eagles were missing two presumptive starters in Derek Barnett and Javon Hargrave, who both missed all of training camp. Barnett is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Hargrave is recovering from a pectoral strain and a hamstring issue. During the game, Brandon Graham left with a head injury and did not return, while Vinny Curry left with a hamstring injury.
With the offseason significantly curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, injuries were a concern for every team, especially considering a player could miss a game with an illness at any time.
Safety Jalen Mills, who missed a few snaps because of an apparent injury, said catching up on practice reps with backups can help alleviate the uncertainty that comes with so many new players.
“As far as [improving communication], that goes into practice with as many guys as possible,” Mills said. “When you know you’re in the rotation, going as hard as possible, being in your playbook and knowing what you’re doing, so when communication [breakdowns] do happen, nobody is panicking, everyone is getting in their right spots and playing fast."
