After missing the entire preseason while recovering from surgery to repair a core muscle injury, tight end Zach Ertz will be active for the Eagles' season opener against Atlanta on Monday Night Football. The third-year tight end was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday before being given the green light as a full participant on Saturday and fills out a tight end rotation that features veteran Brent Celek and sophomore Trey Burton.
Linebacker Marcus Smith, who joined Ertz as the only other player listed on the Eagles' Week 1 injury report, will not suit up against Atlanta. The 2014 first-round pick is still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens on August 20.
In addition to Smith, six other Eagles will be inactive against the Falcons. On the offensive side of the ball, recently signed quarterback Stephen Morris will be a healthy scratch, as will preseason standout and former Oregon running back Kenjon Barner and offensive linemen Josh Andrews and Dennis Kelly. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Brandon Bair and cornerback Denzel Rice are both inactive as well.
The Falcons' seven inactive players will be wide receiver Justin Hardy, receiver and return specialist Devin Hester, offensive linemen Gino Gradkowski and Bryce Harris, linebackers Brooks Reed and Joplo Bartu and cornerback Dezmen Southward.
