The NFL's grind never lets up, and Monday night's slugfest between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers proved that point all too well. In a gritty 10-7 Eagles victory at Lambeau Field, both teams limped away with fresh concerns on their injury reports, highlighting the brutal toll of a long season. For Philly, the win came at a cost, but it kept their momentum rolling after the bye week.
Starting center Cam Jurgens sat out the entire game with a nagging knee issue that's dogged him since Week 8. The young lineman, fresh off a four-year, $68 million extension, missed practice all week and was officially ruled inactive— a blow to an offensive line already shuffling pieces. Meanwhile, veteran right tackle Lane Johnson twisted an ankle early in the second quarter, getting carted to the locker room before remarkably returning later. He's day-to-day, but that scare had fans holding their breath. Linebacker Nolan Smith suited up despite triceps soreness, logging key snaps in his first action since Week 3.
Over in Green Bay, the Packers injury report reads like a nightmare sequence. Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins suffered a fractured ankle or lower leg bone during the loss, sidelining him indefinitely and adding to a laundry list of absences. Wide receiver Jayden Reed's on IR with a broken collarbone, tight end Tucker Kraft's done for the year after a torn ACL, and three pass-catchers—Matthew Golden (shoulder), Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and Savion Williams (foot)—were all questionable heading in. Tackle Zach Tom nursed a back tweak too. The Packers' depth is getting tested hard this late in the campaign.
These setbacks come as both squads eye the stretch run, with Philly holding a solid NFC East grip and Green Bay scrambling in the North. One can't help but wonder if the walking wounded will define their postseason paths.
