Eagles elevate two practice squad players ahead of Week 1 game vs Lions

We’re less than 24 hours away from the kickoff of the first Philadelphia Eagles game of the season. Citizens of the Motor City and fans of the Detroit Lions beware.

The Birds are healthy. Friday’s injury report housed four names: Derek Barnett (ribs), Miles Sanders (hamstring), Josiah Scott (hamstring), and Javon Hargrave (toe). All were full participants. We expect that the final status report on Sunday will state that all will be available for Sunday’s contest.

The Lions are a little banged up. Guard Tommy Kramer (back) and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (back) have been ruled out. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) is doubtful. Linebacker Julian Okwara (hamstring) and center Frank Ragnow (groin) are questionable.

Say what you want about how both teams handled training camp. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni placed reaching the first game and being healthy higher on his priority list than holding physical practice sessions. It appears that his plan has worked.

The Philadelphia Eagles elevate two practice squad players to the active roster ahead of Week 1’s game.

In other news, the Eagles announced two roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game. Wide receiver/returner Britain Covey and tight end Noah Togiai have been elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game.

We can all make an educated guess why Covey has earned that distinction. Perhaps they never figured out the answer about who would handle return duties. In terms of Togiai, that decision is a little more surprising seeing as how the Birds already have three active tight ends on the roster. We’ll have to wait and see what his role winds up being.

These moves mean the Birds must designate two other players as ‘healthy scratches’. This is also, obviously, the first time Covey and Togiai have been elevated. If they return to the practice squad at the close of this game, they can only be elevated to the active roster two more times per league rules.