The Philadelphia Eagles are betting that the absence of Zach Ertz will bring out the best in Dallas Goedert. Their calculated gamble could begin to take shape this weekend.
Philly activated Goedert from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, though he did not practice because of illness. The fourth-year tight end tested positive last week and missed the team's Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers, which proved to be Ertz's farewell. The Eagles sent the three-time Pro Bowler to the Cardinals the next day, in a move that was emotional but also inevitable.
Goedert, 26, is five years younger and seemingly better because of that. He's also in a contract year, so the Eagles brass need to know exactly what they have in him before offering a lucrative extension. No longer tied down by a timeshare, Goedert now has the opportunity to produce like a premier tight end.
He was off to a bit of a slow start this year alongside Ertz, recording just 15 catches thus far. But he's averaging a career-best 14.4 yards per reception. How he finishes in 2021 will lay the foundation for his future in Philadelphia.
Goedert did not practice on Thursday, however.
Eagles left tackle Lane Johnson (personal matter) was full-go in practice for the first time in weeks.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Prior to Thursday night's game, it was announced Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was questionable with a groin injury and the wideout never played. Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) was ruled out late in Thursday's game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game both players will get MRIs.
- Denver Broncos linebacker Micah Kiser (groin) was ruled out in the first half of Thursday night's game. Linebacker Von Miller was also ruled out after spraining an ankle.
- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) practiced in a limited capacity once again on Thursday and QB Trey Lance (knee), along with offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle/elbow) were DNPs once more.
- New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and wide receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) did not practice Thursday. Coach Joe Judge said they're unlikely to play Sunday versus the Panthers. Tight end Evan Engram also did not practice because of a calf injury. Wide receivers Darius Slayton (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring) were limited.
- The Cincinnati Bengals activated running back Samaje Perine from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Quarterback Joe Burrow (throat) was a full participant at practice, while defensive end Trey Hendrickson (knee) and running back Chris Evans (hamstring) were limited.
- The Indianapolis Colts announced safety Julian Blackmon suffered a torn Achilles in practice Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the season.
- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (knee) was activated from injured reserve Thursday and should play tonight versus the Broncos, NFL Network's James Palmer reported. Also according to Palmer: left tackle Jedrick Wills (ankle) is expected to play; Odell Beckham is unlikely to play because of a significant shoulder injury; and right tackle Jack Conklin (knee) won't be available.
- Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (foot/quad) is expected to start versus the Browns, per Palmer.
- The Houston Texans placed defensive back Terrence Brooks (lung) on injured reserve. Wide receiver Nico Collins (foot) was limited and quarterback Deshaun Watson (personal) did not practice.
- Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (shoulder) and linebacker Zaven Collins (shoulder) were each limited at practice Thursday.
- Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (illness) and offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (concussion) did not practice Thursday, but wideout Julio Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant. Linebacker Bud Dupree (knee) was a limited participant also.
- Baltimore Ravens running back Latavius Murray (ankle) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (thigh) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
- Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (quad) did not practice Thursday, while linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle/knee) was limited, as was defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring).
- Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (shoulder) and safety Darnell Savage (concussion) were limited at practice, while linebacker Preston Smith (oblique) did not practice.
- Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (shin) and wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) returned to practice in a limited capacity. Tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (quad) also returned and was limited.
- Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler (knee) did not practice for a second day in a row.
- Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, while running back D'Andre Swift (groin) was limited once again.
- Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (shoulder) was limited once again in practice.
- Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot) did not practice.
- New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk (left knee), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (elbow/ankle) and guard Shaq Mason (abdomen) were limited at practice.
- New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, but safety Marcus Maye (ankle) participated in full capacity.
- Chicago Bears defensive linemen Khalil Mack (foot) and Akiem Hicks (groin) did not practice, but wide receiver Allen Robinson (ankle) returned in a limited capacity.
- Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was once again on the injury report with a finger injury but was a full participant. Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (knee) was a full participant after he was limited on Wednesday.
- Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (quad) did not practice for a second day in a row. Defensive lineman Chris Jones (wrist), tight end Travis Kelce (neck) and Tyrann Mathieu (thumb/toe) were each limited.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (ankle) returned to practice in a limited role, but tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) is still a DNP, as are wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) and linebacker Lavonte David (ankle). Tom Brady (right thumb) was a full participant.
- Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins (groin) did not practice Thursday, while defensive end Darrell Taylor (neck) was limited.
Roster signings
- The Green Bay Packers confirmed their acquisition of linebacker Whitney Mercilus.
- The Cleveland Browns elevated quarterback Nick Mullens and cornerback Herb Miller from the practice squad.
- The Denver Broncos elevated receiver John Brown and outside linebacker Pita Taumoepenu from the practice squad.
Visits
- The Tennessee Titans are hosting wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, running back Dontrell Hilliard and wide receiver Brandon Powell.
- The Houston Texans are hosting defensive lineman Eli Ankou.
