Eagles’ Alshon Jeffery expected to play against Green Bay Packers

Alshon Jeffery’s calf injury likely won’t keep him out of the Eagles’ Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday morning that he expects the 6-foot-3 wide receiver to play after having missed Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Lions. Jeffery suffered the calf injury in the first quarter of the team’s Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He played just six snaps before leaving that game. He wasn’t listed on the team’s injury report ahead of the Thursday game, confirming Pederson’s comments.

“We had limited full-speed practice reps this week. He took part in everything this week," Pederson said. “He feels good, so I’d expect him to go. It just gives our offense a lift, from the standpoint of, he’s a veteran player. He’s a guy that Carson knows and understands."

The Eagles’ receiving corps struggled mightily against the Lions, dropping seven passes, including a missed touchdown grab by Dallas Goedert and a pivotal missed first-down chance by Mack Hollins. Pederson said rookie receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s role will likely be reduced with Jeffery’s return. The 6-2 receiver who drew comparisons to Jeffery during the predraft process played Jeffery’s typical position last week, catching one pass for 10 yards in 55 snaps.

Pederson said defensive end Derek Barnett is also expected to play. Barnett is dealing with an ankle injury suffered Sunday but would have been a full participant in practice, according to the team’s estimated injury report. Running back Corey Clement is questionable with a shoulder injury suffered on a kickoff return against the Falcons.

The team will still be missing its deep threat, DeSean Jackson, against the Packers, but Jeffery and Dallas Goedert, also recovered from a calf injury, should help diversify the team’s offense.

“It’s good to start to get our guys back a little bit,” Pederson said. “A guy like Alshon is definitely going to draw some attention. It does open up guys like [Nelson Agholor]; it does open up guys like Zach [Ertz] and Dallas.”

Goedert was active last week but played only nine snaps, all in the second half. Pederson said the uncertainty surrounding his status led to him having such a minimal role against the Lions.

“Dallas was more of a game-time decision last week; we had already put the game plan together,” Pederson said. “We went in thinking Dallas wasn’t going to be available, so it was a limited [amount of playing time].”