The Eagles got a boost on the eve of Monday Night Football, adding five players to their 53-man roster before facing the Cowboys.
Philadelphia announced that tight end Grant Calcaterra, guard Landon Dickerson and tight end Eli Stowers were activated from injured reserve, while outside linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby and running back Elijah Mitchell were elevated for tonight’s game. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett (knee) has been ruled out.
“ We have activated TE Grant Calcaterra, G Landon Dickerson, and TE Eli Stowers from Injured Reserve," the Eagles announced. "We have also elevated OLB Keyshawn James-Newby and RB Elijah Mitchell for tonight's game. CB Jakorian Bennett (knee)) has been ruled out for the game."
Dickerson’s return gives the Eagles a familiar body back at left guard, and it means three-fifths of the Week 1 offensive line is back in place, with only Lane Johnson’s retirement and Cam Jurgens’ trade creating changes up front.
James-Newby provides needed depth on the edge, while Mitchell could get some touches with Saquon Barkley not yet 100% and Dameon Pierce not having done much to this point in Philadelphia.
The most interesting move, though, is Stowers. The second-round rookie tight end is finally set for his NFL debut after not getting a chance to play yet. He’ll be catching passes from Tanner McKee, not Jalen Hurts, after Hurts was ruled out for the rest of the 2026 NFL season.
That could make Stowers and Makai Lemon especially important against Dallas. DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are out, leaving Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown, Stowers and Dallas Goedert as the top options in the passing game.
It’s a significant night for Philadelphia. A loss could push the Eagles toward a trade deadline sell-off, while a win might keep them pointed at an NFC East title run.
In Other News...
Cowboys May Have Finally Found A Better Tight End Formula
Dak Prescotts three-touchdown afternoon against Philadelphia came with an offense that looked a little different than it had in recent weeks, and the tight end usage stood out as much as anything. Jake Ferguson, who has been one of the more familiar pieces in Dallas passing game, saw his playing time and target share dip noticeably, while Brevyn Spann-Ford picked up more work and more chances to stay on the field.
For a Cowboys offense that has been searching for the right balance around Prescott, the shift suggests the staff may be leaning into a different tight end setup. Ferguson is still part of the equation, but the growing role for Spann-Ford points to a real change in how Dallas wants to deploy the position, and it will be worth watching whether this was a one-game wrinkle or the start of a larger adjustment. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Are Sending George Pickens A Message He Can't Ignore
George Pickens still made a real impact in the Cowboys win over the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. But the bigger message from Dallas may have been in how he was used, with the team trimming his playing time, especially in run-blocking situations, after coach Shane Schottenheimer publicly called him out for his effort in the previous game.
It was notable enough that Pickens played fewer snaps than Ryan Flournoy, a clear sign the Cowboys are willing to let the depth chart reflect more than just receiving production. Pickens has already been disciplined once this season for a curfew violation, so the clubs latest move adds another layer to a stretch where his talent has remained obvious even as the margin for error around him has narrowed. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Defense Just Gave Fans A New Reason For Hope
The Cowboys defense had a rough opening against Philadelphia, with the Eagles punching in touchdowns on their first two drives, but the group settled in and gave Dallas a chance to win. After that early burst, the Eagles managed only one more touchdown, and the Cowboys pass defense did enough to keep the game from getting away while the offense took advantage of the other side of the ball.
A lot of the optimism comes from the way the front and back end looked working together. DeMarvion Overshown was active all over the field in his return, and the pass rush kept building pressure with Quinnen Williams collapsing plays behind the line and Donovan Ezeiruaku finally getting to the quarterback for his first full sack of the season. The run defense still has work to do, but this was the kind of performance that can make the Cowboys believe the unit is starting to turn a corner. [Read more 🡒]
