In the middle of the news leading up to the game against Philadelphia this Saturday night, there have been interesting notes regarding the opposing team. Especially since several of its stars and title elements will not be able to be at Lincoln Financial Field this weekend.
Although the Eagles have already secured a postseason berth after beating Washington 20-16 last weekend, a Covid-19 outbreak has occurred among their ranks. Therefore, a dozen players are on the list, including a lot of starters from the organization.
Roster Moves: Eagles have placed LB Genard Avery, DT Fletcher Cox, S Marcus Epps, TE Dallas Goedert, G Nate Herbig, RB Jordan Howard, C Jason Kelce, CB Avonte Maddox, S Rodney McLeod, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, and TE Jack Stoll on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/qvtMRcaCuo
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 3, 2022
Of the biggest names on the sidelines, we have defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Alex Singleton, tight end Dallas Goedert and center Jason Kelce. These four names are very important casualties for rivals, although Kelce’s case is much more interesting. The center has a record of 121 consecutive meetings with the team. And that’s 128 in total if we count the postseason, and he’s at risk raising those numbers as he might not make an appearance. So far, Kelce is the fifth franchise player to have the most consecutive regular-season games with Philadelphia.
As if that were not enough, there is another detail that sets off the alarms and has to do with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. According to the injury report on Tuesday, the QB was practicing in a limited way with discomfort in his ankle. It should be noted that Hurts missed the game last December 5 against the New York Jets due to this same annoyance. Instead, Gardner Minshew jumped onto the field, winning the match 33-18.
However, something similar was seen with Hurts before the last duel against the Washington team. Where the player was limited at the beginning of the week but was practicing fully in the days leading up to the match. As mentioned, the Eagles would win at FedExField 20-16 to secure their postseason spot with a 9-7 record and seconds in the NFC East.
Some of the elements mentioned in the Covid list may eventually make an appearance. But that will totally depend on the tests that are made to the players and see if they are fit within 24 hours of it. Apart from this, other decisions may be made over the course of the days.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he was looking to rest his starters for the game against the Cowboys. So from this being so, it is likely that even Jalen Hurts will be laid to rest. Leaving in his place Minshew to direct the offensive of the rivals.
It should be remembered that the first game between the Cowboys and the Eagles was in week 3. With a landslide 41-21 cowgirl victory at AT&T Stadium. In that meeting Hurts finished with two interceptions and two sacks by the Dallas defense. The team knows he’s a QB who likes to gain lots of rushing yards, and it’s something they already take into account.
Trevon Diggs PICK-6! #DallasCowboys
????: #PHIvsDAL on ESPN
????: https://t.co/sXVKWk2eYl pic.twitter.com/TShinhyUTC— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2021
Either way, coach Mike McCarthy has already said that the Lone Star team’s headlines are going to jump at Lincoln Financial Field. Statement supported by Jerry Jones and some cowboy players. All with the aim of catching the rhythm of the game for the postseason duel. And of course, get rid of the bad taste in your mouth of the loss to the Cardinals by 25 to 22.
If the opposing coach decides to seat a lot of starters, it should be easier for the team to quickly find the result and save the players as soon as possible. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to put some backup elements on the field for Dallas to play some snaps. But those will already be decisions within the meeting and with the partial result that they are managing.
