The Philadelphia Eagles ruled out wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks for Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to injuries. Running back Saquon Barkley remains questionable to return after missing two contests, while the team handles a lengthy injury report ahead of the Week 7 matchup.
The Philadelphia Eagles face a severely depleted roster heading into their Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia enters the game looking to reverse an uninspiring 2-4 start to the season. The team is hampered by a long list of sidelined starters on both sides of the ball. The team will be missing its two primary wide receivers, forcing a reshuffle of the offensive personnel as the final injury report confirmed.
Receiver Shortages Force Lineup Adjustments Against Dallas
DeVonta Smith will sit out his third game of the season due to a lingering hamstring issue that has disrupted his season. The wide receiver typically plays nearly every offensive snap. Recent usage suggested he was operating on a pitch count during the team’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Joining him on the inactive list is Dontayvion Wicks, who suffered an ankle injury late in that same contest against Carolina.
Sense I got as of yesterday was that DeVonta Smith and Tay Wicks were going to be down this week, but there was optimism that Dallas Goedert could go. Several days to go here … https://t.co/pjYwaOygY2
With Wicks ruled out, the 25-year-old receiver will miss his first game of the year. This opens the door for younger roster options to contribute. First-round rookie Makai Lemon, drafted out of Southern Cal, expressed readiness to step into a larger role for the prime-time broadcast.
I’m just super excited to go out there with the guys. Put on a good performance. Had a great week of practice with all the guys. So just trying to go out there and execute.
The remaining available wide receivers on the 53-man roster include Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore, Hollywood Brown, and Britain Covey. Cooper figures to see an expanded role after catching half of his eight receptions this season for touchdowns, according to league reporting.
Barkley and Goedert Likely to Play Monday
While the wide receiver room takes a heavy hit, the backfield offers a measure of optimism. Running back Saquon Barkley is officially listed as questionable after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. Barkley practiced in full on Saturday. Team expectations point toward him taking the field on Monday night.
Tight end Dallas Goedert is also cleared to play without a game designation after logging a full practice session on Saturday, recovering from a knee injury.
Defensively, however, the Eagles remain vulnerable. Edge rusher Nolan Smith has been ruled out due to a concussion, and defensive back Michael Carter II will miss his second contest with an abdominal injury. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is listed as questionable while dealing with an ankle injury.
Philadelphia Decides Which Injured Players to Activate
The coaching staff faces additional roster decisions regarding several players currently on injured reserve who have returned to practice. Guard Landon Dickerson, tight ends Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra, and cornerback Jakorian Bennett all carry questionable designations.
Philadelphia must decide whether to activate these players to the active 53-man roster or leave them on the sidelines for another week. Center Drew Kendall is available to play after recovering from an ankle injury.
Will Saquon Barkley and the questionable reserves ultimately take the field on Monday night?