Philadelphia Eagles DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and is not expected to play on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants in the Week 18 regular-season opener. Hurts suffered a concussion early in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and was inactive in the blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. The Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the postseason, so they have nothing to gain by rushing Hurts back this weekend. In addition to Hurts, head coach Nick Sirianni said on Wednesday that the team plans to "rest some guys" on Sunday, including the NFL's rushing leader in running back Saquon Barkley. Kenny Pickett (ribs) is not certain to play through his broken ribs on Sunday, either, so third-stringer Tanner McKee could make his first career start against the G-Men.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are planning on resting key starters, including running back Saquon Barkley, during their Week 18 tilt against the New York Giants. Barkley will finish just 100 yards away from Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is still in the league's protocol and would have faced an uphill battle to suit up anyway. In addition, top wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will likely also sit out in this contest. This would pave the way for either Kenny Pickett (ribs) or Tanner McKee to get the start under center, with Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley sharing the backfield. Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith will likely be top pass catchers. Fantasy managers should consider targeting Gainwell on the waiver wire as he would likely get the start at running back and would be a viable RB2 in all formats.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) to return from Injured Reserve. Goedert can now return to practice with the team and has a shot to be officially activated from IR in order to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. The 29-year-old isn't guaranteed to be activated by Saturday, though, and if he is activated, there's a good chance he'll see limited snaps in what would be his first game since Dec. 1. In nine games before injuring his knee, Goedert had a 38-441-2 line as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers in an offense with many mouths to feed. His backup, Grant Calcaterra, has been a touchdown-dependent TE2 in Goedert's absence, catching only five of six targets for 72 yards and one touchdown in four games.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell had only four touches (three carries, one reception) in the 41-7 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 on Sunday. Given the score and the fact that the Eagles pulled star running back Saquon Barkley in the fourth quarter after he reached the elite milestone of 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, Gainwell's minimal involvement was a bit of a disappointment. He gained only four yards on his three rushing attempts and picked up five yards on his lone catch. The good news, though, is that with Philly locked into the No. 2 seed and with nothing to play for in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants, Gainwell could easily operate as the team's lead back. However, that could also come with third-string QB Tanner McKee under center with both Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) hurt.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs), who made the start in place of the injured Jalen Hurts (concussion) in the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, came into the game with broken ribs. Pickett played through the injury but then aggravated his ribs late in the second half and was pulled in favor of third-stringer Tanner McKee, who tossed two touchdowns himself. The Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC now and have nothing to play for in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants, which means Pickett's status becomes more important. The Eagles will likely rest Hurts, who is dealing with a broken finger on his left (non-throwing) hand in addition to his concussion. If Pickett cannot play next Sunday, McKee could be in line to make his first NFL start in the regular-season finale.