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Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl inactives: Sidney Jones, Destiny Vaeao out; Dannell Ellerbe to play

The Eagles have three defensive tackles active against the Patriots. Look for Fletcher Cox to take as many snaps as he wants and Brandon Graham to get interior line work

Eagles defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao is inactive for the Super Bowl, meaning Tim Jernigan is OK to play after dealing with an illness, and also giving Fletcher Cox more snaps.
Eagles defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao is inactive for the Super Bowl, meaning Tim Jernigan is OK to play after dealing with an illness, and also giving Fletcher Cox more snaps.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

MINNEAPOLIS — The Eagles will use only three defensive tackles in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots and will activate Rasul Douglas over Sidney Jones at cornerback.

None of the players who were ill during the week leading up to the game will miss the Super Bowl. With a healthy 53-man roster, all seven inactive players are healthy scratches. The Eagles will sit Jones, tackle Will Beatty, wide receiver Marcus Johnson, defensive end Steven Means, defensive tackle Elijah Qualls, running back Wendell Smallwood, and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao.

By sitting Vaeao, the Eagles will play with three defensive tackles: Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan, and Beau Allen. Look for Cox to take as many snaps as he wants in the Super Bowl. The Eagles will also likely move Brandon Graham inside to play defensive tackle on some passing downs.

Dannell Ellerbe is active at middle linebacker after missing the NFC championship game. He had a hamstring injury during that game.

Douglas continues playing over Jones, who has not been in uniform during the playoffs. However, the second-round pick had five extra weeks of practice since he was activated to the 53-man roster. That can be beneficial next season.

Shelton Gibson continues to play over Johnson as the fifth wide receiver. All the other players who are inactive are buried on the depth chart.

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