The good news for the Eagles is that only three players did not participate in practice on Thursday. The not-so-good news is that all three of those players were wide receivers.
DeSean Jackson (hamstring) joined Jeremy Maclin (hip) and Riley Cooper (collarbone) on the injury report Thursday. Jackson was not listed on Wednesday's injury update. Cooper was a limited participant on Wednesday, but did not participate in Thursday's workout.
With those three on the mend, the other receivers look to pick up the slack.
"We went out and executed the assignments and what they asked us to do," said Jason Avant, who was listed as a full participant on the injury report with a wrist injury. "It's not the same without your best players out there, but we are up for the task as far as doing our job and our assignments. This offense is predicated on being pure in your assignments. If we do that, then you don't have to be DeSean Jackson to catch a ball."
Avant, rookie Damaris Johnson and Mardy Gilyard, who was re-signed this past Tuesday, took the reps for the Eagles. Johnson, who made his NFL debut last Sunday against Cleveland, feels like he is prepared for whatever role he's asked to play this Sunday against Baltimore.
"I felt comfortable. I think I've been getting prepared for the last couple of weeks. They've been getting me prepared for if anything was to happen I would be the next receiver to go in," said Johnson, who is also the punt returner. "Coach is doing a great job; Mike (Vick) is doing a great job just getting me comfortable with the offense. I feel pretty good and I felt that we had a good week of practice."
Avant stated that it doesn't matter who is on the field, the same plays will be called by offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
"We're going to run the plays no matter who is in there. Everyone knows what we like to do on offense. It's going to be run different. It's different timing for the quarterback, but it's the same play," Avant said. "We have to be within ourselves and play our game; stick to our assignments, be in the right spots and Mike will make us right."
While it's a wait-and-see approach with the two starting receivers, safety Colt Anderson is on track to make his season debut just nine-and-a-half months after suffering a severe knee injury. He was a full participant in Thursday's practice and special teams coordinator Bobby April said that Anderson will be featured on the special teams units this Sunday.
Cornerback Curtis Marsh was limited for the second straight day with a hamstring injury. Safety Kurt Coleman was a full participant with facial lacerations.
Ravens Injury Update
Center Matt Birk was a limited participant in Thursday's practice with a thigh injury. Birk did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
That was the only change on the Ravens' injury report. Linebacker Paul Kruger (back), defensive end Pernell McPhee (knee) and offensive tackle Jah Reid (leg) did not participate in Thursday's workout. Kruger is a starter at outside linebacker. McPhee is a key rotational lineman for the Ravens.
Safety Ed Reed was a limited participant with the thigh injury he suffered returning an interception for a touchdown in the Monday night win over Cincinnati.
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