Philadelphia Eagles DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session and doesn't carry an injury designation into the Week 18 regular season finale on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite Pickett looking healthy, the Steelers will stick with Mason Rudolph in a must-win game in Week 18. Rudolph has led this team to a 2-0 record with 564 yards and two touchdowns in his two starts. Pickett struggled throughout most of the season before going down with an ankle injury that required surgery. It's not shocking to see head coach Mike Tomlin sticking with the hot hand in Rudolph. The good news is that Pickett doesn't appear to be injured anymore, but he's going to have to win back the starting job in 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (ankle) didn't take part in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday and is not practicing on Thursday, either. Smith sprained his right ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and is in jeopardy of being rested for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New York Giants. The most likely scenario is that the 25-year-old is rested for a likely wild-card matchup in the first round of the postseason next week for the Eagles. The 25-year-old was on crutches and in a walking boot after Sunday's game, which obviously doesn't bode well for his chances of playing this weekend. If Smith is ruled out, receivers Julio Jones, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus could have much bigger roles as the Eagles play out the string of the regular season.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley indicated on Wednesday that he'd like to remain with the team for the rest of his career. However, Barkley also said, "I just want something that's fair and that makes sense. That's really it. if it's not here, hopefully it's some other place," when discussing his next contract. The Giants and Barkley weren't really seeing eye to eye in 2023 before he was given the franchise tag and then ultimately a one-year deal. New York could use the franchise tag on the 26-year-old again in 2024, but he's clearly looking for a multi-year deal, even if it means leaving the Big Apple. Barkley didn't have much of a chance to be an RB1 for fantasy managers this year behind a terrible offensive line, but he made the most of his opportunities and is sitting on 916 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 229 attempts through 13 games, adding 39 catches for 229 yards and four more scores.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice estimation. Smith injured his right foot in the Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and was seen in a walking boot while using crutches after the game. The Eagles still have a chance to win the NFC East in Week 18, but they'll need a win over the New York Giants and for the Dallas Cowboys to lose to the Washington Commanders. The primary concern for Philadelphia, a team already playoff bound, is that Smith can get healthy for the wild-card round next week. Fantasy managers should consider it likely that Smith doesn't play this Sunday versus the Giants. There's a chance Philly could rest other offensive starters as well, which would give receivers Quez Watkins, Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus more playing time.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson recognizes the lack of productivity for All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown in recent weeks and said the team needs to do a better job getting him the ball. "A.J. is a great player, and we've got to force him the ball sometimes and make sure we get him going," Johnson said Tuesday, via the team's official transcript. Brown remarkably posted six straight games for 125+ receiving yards early in the season, but he has just one game of at least 100 receiving yards since Week 9. In last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Brown hauled in just four passes for 53 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, his week-winning upside disappeared when it mattered most in the fantasy football playoffs. With the frustration mounting in Philadelphia, Brown could be force-fed targets in the Week 18 finale against the New York Giants. He remains a must-start in fantasy football and a strong DFS option.