Battered Eagles Host Cowboys on Monday Night
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field. The Monday Night Football game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Eastern and airs on ESPN and ABC.
The Eagles are 2-4 and on a four-game losing streak. Their most recent game, last Sunday at home against the Carolina Panthers, ended in a 25-14 loss.
The biggest news is that quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for the rest of the season. According to a joint announcement from the team and Hurts’ agent on Oct. 19, what was first diagnosed as a superficial blood clot in his left calf was followed by deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli found in further testing. Hurts is on blood thinners and cannot take part in football activities, including contact practice, until treatment is complete. The team said his prognosis is very good and a full recovery is expected. Hurts will remain around the team for the rest of the season while staying in shape.
With Hurts out, backup quarterback Tanner McKee starts. McKee made his first start last week against the Panthers, throwing for 215 yards and one touchdown with a 57.8% completion rate.
Saturday’s final injury report cost the Eagles several starters. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith is out with a hamstring injury, and Dontayvion Wicks is out with an ankle injury. Linebacker Nolan Smith is out with a concussion, and Michael Carter is out with an abdomen injury.
Several more are questionable. Running back Saquon Barkley fully participated in Saturday’s practice despite a hamstring injury, but his status will be a game-time decision. Barkley has played four games, rushing 36 times for 182 yards, and has missed two games. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is also expected to be a game-time decision with an ankle injury, and Jalyx Hunt was limited in practice with knee and ankle injuries. Landon Dickerson fully participated in practice but remains questionable.
There is positive news as well. Tight end Dallas Goedert fully participated in Saturday’s practice and carries no injury designation, so he is expected to play. Goedert caught six passes for 61 yards against the Panthers. With Smith and Wicks out, rookie wide receivers Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper will take on bigger roles.
Dallas has its own absences. Wide receiver KaVontae Turpin is out with a ribs injury, linebacker Dee Winters is out with a calf injury, and tackle Drew Shelton is out with a hamstring injury.
The Eagles must decide by 4 p.m. Monday whether to activate players from injured reserve, including Dickerson. Those decisions could change Monday night’s roster.
It is a meeting between a team that must end a losing streak and a rival trying to win in its home. For the Eagles, the week ahead looks like one to survive without their starting quarterback.
