It's game day! And, thankfully, this week was far less stressful than the days that led up to the Philadelphia Eagles' game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's hope we see a similar performance though.
That Eagles team, the one we saw play Pittsburgh, will be a tough team for anyone to beat. We enjoy saying that.
We'll have plenty of time to discuss the postseason though. Today is all about an important divisional game vs. the division-rival Washington Commanders.
Eagles vs. Commanders Week 16 inactives
No team is completely healthy at this juncture of the NFL season (or at any point of the NFL season). Philly's stars will play though. A.J. Brown popped up on the injury report because of a knee injury, but he said, in no uncertain terms, "I'm playing".
“I’m playing.”
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 20, 2024
Doesn’t sound like AJ Brown is 100 percent but as he points out, nobody is this time of year. pic.twitter.com/wERpXY265B
Full inactives list for the Eagles
Two Eagles were ruled out on Friday, edge rusher Bryce Huff and wide receiver Britain Covey. Huff's practice window was opened this week. He just hasn't been medically cleared to play yet. Covey continues to work his way back from a neck injury. Meanwhile, second-year safety Sydney Brown is questionable after a concussion last Sunday.
90 minutes before kickoff, the inactives were due. Here's who the Eagles added to their list.
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Tanner McKee | QB |
Britain Covey | WR |
Eli Ricks | CB |
Nick Gates | OL |
Darian Kinnard | OL |
Trevor Keegan | OL |
Full inactives list for Commanders
The Commanders ruled defensive tackle Jonathan Allen out with a pectoral injury. His 21-day practice window is still open, but he hasn't been medically cleared to play yet. Safety Jeremy Chinn and tight end Zach Ertz are both questionable.
Washington also released their inactives list 90 minutes before kickoff.
Player | Position |
|---|---|
K.J. Osborn | WR |
Michael Davis | CB |
Chris Paul | OG |
Phdarian Mathis | DT |
Dominique Hampton | LB |
Jeff Driskel | QB |
The stakes are easy to understand. A win by the Commanders increases their chances of reaching the postseason. They'd still need the Atlanta Falcons to lose or tie, and they'd also need either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks to lose or tie.
Philly clinches the NFC East with a win. They can then focus on bigger goals, beating out the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings for the top postseason seed in the conference.
1st-half updates:
Injury Update: QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) is out. https://t.co/I99jJ1qVob
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 22, 2024
Jalen Hurts, Will Shipley, and Nakobe Dean all left the playing surface with what appeared to be head injuries. Nakobe Dean seems to be fine. Jalen Hurts and Will Shipley have indeed been ruled out with concussions.
Injury Update: RB Will Shipley (concussion) is out. https://t.co/XOHPd0PzqD
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 22, 2024
Josh Sweat left to enter the locker room early. He was getting his ankle tended to before doing so. Let's hope he isn't dealing with anything serious.
Jordan Davis was slow to get up after suffering what appeared to be a lower-body injury.