Week 9 Injury Report: Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans got a badly-needed win over the floundering, now 2-6 Tennessee Titans.

I’m at least pleased that they beat a team that they were supposed to and looked good, for the most part, doing it.

The team has a tough test against a highly-charged Chip Kelly-run offense of the Philadelphia Eagles that they must stop.

It will be a reunion of sorts — four former Texans that made their mark while they were here will be donning the midnight green, silver, black, charcoal and white.

Those are: Connor Barwin, DeMeco Ryans, Bryan Braman and James Casey. We’ll see plenty of the first two as they are major contributors to the team.

Regardless, this will be a game to watch.

However, there are a few maladies to pay close attention to.

Take a look:

For the Houston Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:

RB Alfred Blue, Ankle

OLB Jadeveon Clowney, Knee/Illness

ILB Brian Cushing, Knee

RB Arian Foster, Knee

DE Tim Jamison, Groin

WR Andre Johnson, Ankle

CB Johnathan Joseph, Knee

OLB Whitney Mercilus, Shoulder

CB Darryl Morris, Ankle

OLB Brooks Reed, Groin

CB Jumal Rolle, Wrist

OLB John Simon, Ankle

Tarpinian has been ruled out for Sunday. Clowney, Cushing and Morris are listed as questionable. Blue, Foster, Jamison, Andre Johnson, Joseph, Mercilus, Reed, Rolle and Simon are all probable to go.

Clowney is currently undergoing a minor setback from an illness that he is suffering from but it has nothing to do with the recovery with his knee which is coming along just fine.

ESPN’s Tania Ganguli reported that Bill O’Brien said that his chances are not too good to play this Sunday:

Ganguli also confirmed that it was an illness, not the knee:

Cushing is likely to return back to the football field — he says he is feeling well and O’Brien paid him a compliment.

The Houston Texans’ Drew Dougherty reports:

"It felt good today."- ILB Brian Cushing practiced today. Said he doesn't know yet if he will play Sunday.
— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) October 31, 2014

He said that he was feeling 100 percent and it’s been a long time since he has felt that way.

KTRK Channel 13’s Bob Slovak reports:

Texans Brian Cushing asked when the last time he was 100%... Before the NFL. Cush day to day working to get on the field against Eagles.
— Bob Slovak (@BobABC13) October 27, 2014

Morris returned to practice this week as he has been out for a couple weeks nursing an ankle injury. His talents can definitely be utilized — he had the game-winning pick off EJ Manuel in Week 4’s 23-17 win over the Buffalo Bills. There’s a possibility he may get the opportunity to dress, he’s been practicing since Wednesday.

610 SportsRadio’s Will Grubb reports:

Tarpinian is still recovering from a knee injury and did not practice this week at all. I think he’ll be back in the lineup after the bye week.

The premonitions of the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain turned out to be spot-on at least for Tarpinian:

ILBs Brian Cushing and Jeff Tarpinian missed Titans game cause of sore knees and could miss Eagles, too. Bye after Eagles.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 29, 2014

And here’s the injury report for the Philadelphia Eagles:

S Nate Allen, Hamstring

CB Brandon Boykin, Hamstring

TE Brent Celek, Back

G Todd Herremans, Biceps

C Jason Kelce, Hernia

LB Mychal Kendricks, Calf

WR Jeff Maehl, Foot

LB DeMeco Ryans, Groin

RB Darren Sproles, Knee

CB Jaylen Watkins, Wrist

WR Brad Smith, Groin

Allen and Smith are listed as questionable. Boykin, Celek, Herremans, Kelce, Kendricks, Maehl, Ryans, Sproles and Watkins are probable.

Although starting safety Allen and backup wide receiver Smith are listed as questionable, they did practice in full as with the rest of the Eagles that were listed on the injury report. It’s extremely likely the Eagles will have a full staff to take the field.