The Eagles are headed into Week 7 with a problem that may be even bigger than losing DeVonta Smith.
Smith is set to miss his third game of the season because of a hamstring injury, and that alone is a hit for Philadelphia’s offense. But Michael Carter II being sidelined for a second straight game with an abdominal injury could end up hurting the Eagles more, because the secondary is the spot that already looks the most vulnerable.
On offense, the Eagles still have enough pieces to keep moving. They won’t have Smith or Dontayvion Wicks against the Cowboys, but Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown give them options at wide receiver.
Cooper already leads the team with four touchdown catches despite having only eight receptions. Lemon has only 7.1 yards per reception, but he has been heavily involved and should see more chances down the field.
Brown adds a vertical element with his speed, and Moore could be used on gadget looks in the running game. The Eagles are also likely to get Saquon Barkley back in the backfield, and Dallas Goedert will play despite a knee injury after being one of Tanner McKee’s favorite targets in the Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
That gives Philadelphia a chance to survive on offense, even without Smith.
The bigger concern is what Carter’s absence does to the back end of the defense. Carter has not started many games this season, but before getting hurt in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had been trending upward and may have stayed in the starting lineup if not for the injury.
His numbers tell the story. Carter has allowed a passer rating of 56.3 this season and ranks fourth in the NFL in yards allowed per reception at 5.5.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 70.6 overall grade, which ranks 24th among 98 NFL safeties. His 61.3 coverage grade ranks 42nd, and his 89.4 run-defense grade sits fourth.
Without him, the Eagles turn to Marcus Epps and Kenny Moore, and both have allowed a passer rating of 118.8. That’s where the trouble starts.
Carter was giving Philadelphia a real coverage presence, and that’s exactly what disappears with Epps and Moore in the lineup. Epps has struggled in coverage all season, while Moore is still adjusting to the safety role in the NFL.
Even Andrew Mukuba, who is supposed to be the more “consistent” starter, brings risk. He has allowed a passer rating of 112.5 and is giving up 17.6 yards per reception. Mukuba can make splash plays, but in coverage he’s a liability too.
That leaves Dallas with clear ways to attack. Tight end Jake Ferguson and wide receiver Ryan Flournoy can work the middle of the field and challenge the safeties. If the Cowboys line things up the right way, getting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens matched on safeties with deep routes could be even more damaging.
For Philadelphia, the path is simple: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen have to win their one-on-one matchups. If they don’t, the safeties are going to be put in bad spots all game long without Carter on the field.
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Eagles Have A Week 7 Problem That Could Shape The Trade Deadline
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That creates a tricky evaluation window for a roster that still has enough talent to stay in the playoff mix, but not enough certainty to ignore underperforming spots. Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and Tariq Woolen have come up as names worth monitoring, and if the Eagles keep wobbling, those discussions could get louder as the deadline gets closer. [Read more 🡒]