From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/cap87wfv
The Eagles are in Los Angeles Monday night with their season tilting, their star defensive tackle sidelined and a surging Chargers team waiting to test their resolve.
Both clubs enter Week 14 at 8–4 and are jockeying for playoff seeding in their respective conferences. The Eagles have lost two straight to the Cowboys and Bears. The Chargers are coming off a victory over the Raiders and have won four of their last five.
The Birds will be without star defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who underwent procedures on both shoulders last week. That loss looms large just as the Chargers — behind solid personnel and a physical rushing attack — test the Eagles’ run defense.
As defensive coordinator Vic Fangio put it when asked about the Chargers’ offense: “They have a big tight-end, big fullback, pretty big O-line, good backs. They run it very, very well.”
The Eagles must rely on depth up front, with players such as defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis expected to play larger roles, to withstand the Chargers’ ground game.
The Eagles’ offensive line has been racked with injuries all year and will once again be without right tackle Lane Johnson (foot). The Chargers have also dealt with key O-line injuries but have been able to overcome them while the Eagles’ offense has been uneven most of the year.
The Chargers may get a boost with the return of running back Omarion Hampton, who has been cleared to play after missing the previous seven games with a fractured ankle. That could revive L.A.’s run game and keep the Eagles’ defense honest.
L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert remains questionable after surgery on his nonthrowing hand and limited practice participation in practice, though indications are he will start. If Herbert is limited or if backup Trey Lance plays significant snaps, the Chargers may lean more heavily on the ground game and shorter, controlled passes — a plan that could test Philadelphia’s defensive depth and discipline.
This Monday night game could shape the course of both clubs’ seasons.
Injury report
Eagles: OUT: DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), RT Lane Johnson (foot). QUESTIONABLE: S Marcus Epps (shoulder), T Myles Hinton (back).
Saturday practice report: DNP: DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), RT Lane Johnson (foot). FULL: ILB Zack Baun (hand), LG Landon Dickerson (rest), WR Jahan Dotson (toe), S Marcus Epps (shoulder), WR Xavier Gipson (shoulder), T Myles Hinton (back), EDGE Jaelan Phillips (concussion).
Chargers: Questionable: QB Justin Herbert (left hand), RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring), DL Otito Ogbonnia (elbow). Out: TE Tucker Fisk.
Pregame position grades
Here’s how the teams match up heading into Sunday, based on health and how they’ve been playing recently. Performances will be evaluated postgame.
QB: Chargers B-, Eagles C+
RB: Eagles B, Chargers C
TE: Eagles A-, Chargers B+
WR: Eagles A, Chargers A-
OL: Eagles B-, Chargers B-
DL: Eagles B, Chargers B
LB: Eagles B+, Chargers C
CB/S: Chargers A-, Eagles B
ST: Eagles B-, Chargers C
On the air
Eagles (8-4) at Chargers (8-4), Monday, 8:15 p.m., SoFi Stadium.
TV: ESPN: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge.
Radio/streaming: 94.1-FM WIP: Merrill Reese, Mike Quick and Devan Kaney. Tico: Rickie Ricardo, Oscar Budejen and David Gerhardt. Westwood One: Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner.
Betting odds
Spread: Eagles by 2.5.
Over/under: 42.5.
Money line: Eagles -135, Chiefs +114.
Penn State connection
Matt Campbell, whom Penn State hired from Iowa State as its new head coach, was Sirianni’s teammate at Mount Union. Campbell was a defensive lineman while Sirianni was a wide receiver.
“I’m really excited for him and the opportunity he has,” Sirianni said. “Well-deserved. Phenomenal, phenomenal football coach. Phenomenal person, great family. I’ve been an Iowa State fan for the last 10 years.
“Really excited to be able to take a drive down there and talk football with him even more. We can do it on our phones, but now I can go watch a spring practice or something like that — if the rules allow you to, I don’t know how that actually is (joking). Really looking forward to watching him, and yeah, I just think he’s a great football coach.”
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc for the latest updates.