Eagles' Zack Baun in concussion protocol before Rams

The Eagles only held a walkthrough Wednesday. Even so, the team made clear Baun wasn't going to be on the field in any case.

Mike Garafolo

@MikeGarafolo

#Eagles say LB Zack Baun has a concussion and wouldn't have practiced today if they had held a full practice.

Philadelphia Eagles@Eagles

Wednesday's Injury Report #LARvsPHI t.co/sknU2nMnoZ

Baun picked up the concussion in Monday night's loss to the Bears in Chicago, and the timing could hardly be worse. Philly turns around and hosts the Rams at the Linc on Sunday, October 4 at 1PM ET, which leaves 6 days to get a concussed linebacker through every step of the protocol. Teams have been clearing guys faster lately, but a short week makes it a tough ask. Baun plays every down at linebacker for this defense, so losing him leaves a big hole.

Baun was only one name on a long list. The estimated walkthrough report from the Inquirer's beat writer reads more like a hospital chart than a practice sheet.

Jeff McLane

@Jeff_McLane

#Eagles Walkthrough Report for Wednesday (an estimation)): DNP – LB Zack Baun (concussion), WR Marquise Brown (ankle), TE Dallas Goedert (knee), T Fred Johnson (knee), RB Will Shipley (foot), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring). LIMITED – LB Jihaad Campbell (knee), DT Jordan Davis (calf), DT Moro Ojomo (calf/elbow). FULL – RB Tank Bigsby (abdomen), DT Jalen Carter (wrist), WR Darius Cooper (knee), OLB Jonathan Greenard (pectoral), DT Byron Young (toe).

That's 6 DNPs, and 3 of them are pass catchers. DeVonta Smith's hamstring had already kept him out of practice early last week, and he still played against Chicago. Now it's acting up again. Hollywood Brown is out with the ankle and Goedert with the knee, so the depth chart behind A.J. Brown is getting thin fast. If Smith and Goedert can't go Sunday, the passing game is down 2 of its most trusted targets.

The defense has problems of its own. Jihaad Campbell, the obvious next man up if Baun can't play, was limited with a knee. Jordan Davis (calf) and Moro Ojomo (calf/elbow) were limited too, and Jalen Carter was a full participant with a wrist issue. That means all 3 of the top interior defensive linemen are on the report, during the week this defense has to deal with a Rams offense getting its best receiver back.

That receiver is Puka Nacua. He missed 2 games with a hip and groin issue, and Sean McVay said he's excited to have him back. Nacua is expected to be limited in practice but to play. So the Eagles may have to cover an All-Pro receiver without their best linebacker and with their 3 best interior linemen all on the report.

ProFootballTalk

@ProFootballTalk

Zack Baun, DeVonta Smith miss practice for Eagles. t.co/Lc1F1GjrXl

Thursday and Friday's reports will tell the real story. Baun has to clear each step of the protocol, so the thing to watch is whether he goes from DNP to limited before Friday. If he doesn't, Campbell's knee becomes the most important joint in Philadelphia. Coming off a beating in Chicago, the Eagles can't afford to lose many more bodies.