Eagles’ Anthony Harris to miss game vs. Raiders | What his absence means for secondary

Eagles safety Anthony Harris was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders with injuries to his hands and groin.
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LAS VEGAS – When the Eagles take the field Sunday against a Las Vegas Raiders team that likes to push the ball down the field through their passing game, they will do so without one of their starting defensive backs.

The Eagles announced Saturday that safety Anthony Harris would miss Sunday’s game with injuries to his hands and groin.

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Harris, who signed with the Eagles in the offseason, has started all six games this season, collecting 39 tackles and an interception. Harris was expected to be vital because of the Eagles’ desire to keep their safeties deep to prevent big pass plays downfield, keeping the receivers in front of them and forcing the Raiders to move down the field methodically.

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The team appeared to be preparing not to have Harris for the game because the team elevated safety Elijah Riley from the practice squad Saturday. Riley has not played in a game this season and is primarily known for his coverage ability on special teams. Without Harris, Marcus Epps figures to be in the position to start his second game of the season. Epps is better suited to play the free safety role, the one that was occupied by Harris. In six games this season, Epps has a pass deflection.

Behind Epps, the Eagles are thin at the position. The Eagles already are missing safety K’Von Wallace. Wallace has missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. However, he could be returning soon because the team opened up his 21-day practice window this week. If there is another injury, Andre Chachere could move over from cornerback to safety.

The other player on the injury list, offensive lineman Jack Anderson, is still questionable for the game. Anderson has been practicing as a backup guard and center since the Eagles signed him off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in September.

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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.

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