The Philadelphia Eagles are wrapping up their week in New England tonight, facing the Patriots in their second preseason game at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and after two super physical joint practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, don’t expect to see many of the established starters out there. This game is all about the reserves, the rookies, and the guys fighting for a roster spot, which means the stakes are surprisingly high for a preseason tilt.
Who’s Taking Snaps? The Unsettled Quarterback Competition
You know how crucial quarterback depth is, and for Philly, that backup battle is still wide open. Andy Dalton started the preseason opener against Baltimore, but Tanner McKee was the first one to get second-team reps in Thursday’s joint practice. Both of those guys are going to get serious snaps tonight as they duke it out to back up Jalen Hurts. And don’t forget rookie Cole Payton; he punched in Philadelphia’s only touchdown against Baltimore, so he could definitely get an extended run to close out this game. This isn’t just a practice game for these guys, it’s their shot to prove they belong.
The Injury Report Is Looking Rough
The Eagles’ injury list is getting longer, and that’s not what you want to see this early in the preseason. Wide receiver Johnny Wilson was just waived with an injury designation Friday because of a knee injury. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, who’s been dealing with a heel issue, got put on the Injured Reserve. DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon were both limited Thursday, both dealing with hamstring injuries, which is never a good sign. Jalen Carter was excused for personal reasons, and Elijah Moore missed that session with a neck injury. Jakorian Bennett, Grant Calcaterra, Jonathan Jones, John Ojukwu, Dameon Pierce, and Byron Young also sat out Thursday’s practice. That’s a lot of names to keep track of, and it makes those roster spots even more competitive tonight.
After tonight’s action against the Patriots, the Eagles have one more preseason game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday, August 28th. Every snap counts for these guys, especially those fighting to make the team and prove they’ve got what it takes.
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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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