The Eagles head into Week 7 against the Cowboys with one clear absence and one major question mark.
DeVonta Smith is out after missing all three practices this week with a hamstring injury. Saquon Barkley, meanwhile, finished on a much better note, going from limited work on Thursday and Friday to a full practice Saturday, but he still carries a questionable tag.
That leaves Philadelphia in a tricky spot. Smith’s status is settled, but Barkley’s is not. His late-week jump is a good sign, yet it does not guarantee he’ll suit up or handle his usual load if he does.
Barkley has not played in Weeks 5 and 6, and through four games this season he has 182 rushing yards on 36 carries, good for 5.1 yards per attempt. If he’s available, that kind of production would be a welcome boost for an offense already missing one of its top receiving threats.
The bigger unknown with Barkley is usage. Being active and being ready for a normal workload are two different things, and nothing in the report confirms how much the Eagles would ask of him.
Smith, on the other hand, is definitely out. The blow is a real one. He has 26 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns in four games this season, and he came through with seven receptions for 75 yards and a score against Carolina in Week 6 before this latest setback.
Philadelphia also ruled out Dontayvion Wicks, who missed every practice this week with an ankle injury. That takes another receiver out of the mix and makes the passing-game depth chart thinner going into Sunday.
There were some positives on the injury report, though not full answers. Marquise Brown and Britain Covey both practiced all week despite ankle and shoulder issues, respectively, but their game-status fields were not specified. Dallas Goedert also improved, returning to full participation Saturday after sitting out Thursday and Friday with a knee injury, though his listed status was unspecified as well.
Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers were both listed as questionable despite three full practices, a reminder that participation alone does not settle availability. Landon Dickerson followed Barkley’s path, moving from limited work on Thursday and Friday to full participation Saturday, but he also remains questionable with knee and pectoral injuries.
Tyler Steen, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin and Moro Ojomo all finished the week with full participation, though their statuses were not specified.
On defense, Michael Carter II and Nolan Smith are out after missing all three practices, with abdomen and concussion injuries, respectively. Jonathan Greenard is questionable after missing Friday and Saturday with an ankle injury, while Jalyx Hunt stayed limited all week and is also questionable. Jakorian Bennett is questionable despite full participation.
With so many moving parts, the Eagles need the offense to stay efficient and keep drives alive. Against Dallas, that matters even more if Barkley can’t go or is limited, because Philadelphia can’t afford to lean too hard on a passing game already without Smith.
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The reaction was swift, with former NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco taking aim at Schottenheimers leadership and framing the criticism as a distraction from Dallas deeper issues. Pickens, for his part, kept the response measured and pointed back to the bigger picture, stressing that the Cowboys need better play across the board as they try to steady themselves. [Read more 🡒]