There is a lot unknown and known at the same time about Week 18 for the Philadelphia Eagles as they prepare to play the Washington Commanders.
Eagles fans know the starters will rest against the Commanders as they prepare for the playoffs. The one thing Eagles fans need to know is who specifically won't be on the field for Week 18.
Philly released their final Week 18 injury report with six players being ruled out of the game. The only player who wasn't ruled out was rookie first-round pick linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who is dealing with a back and shoulder injury but was a full participant in practice. Here are the six Eagles players out against the Commanders:
- Jalen Carter, DT (Hip)
- Nakobe Dean, LB (Hamstring)
- Marcus Epps, S (Concussion)
- Dallas Goedert, TE (Knee)
- Lane Johnson, RT (Foot)
- Jaelan Phillips, EDGE (Ankle)
No surprises to Eagles injury report for Week 18
The Eagles are going to be ultra-conservative with the starters, so anyone who is a starter and is hurt is pretty much out. Every player who was out did not practice in the final workout.
Johnson's image on the practice field in uniform was a welcome sight for Eagles fans, as he hasn't played since November against the Detroit Lions. He has not made many appearances at practice since, but it was good to see him on the field with his teammates.
Carter has dealt with heel and shoulder injuries that kept him off the field this year, and his hip is now the third injury to keep him out. The good news is that the Week 17 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week had a great showing in the 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills, so there aren't any significant concerns with him.
With Campbell looking likely to play, Dean can sit out and recover from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Bills game. It will most likely be Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. starting at linebacker, with Zack Baun likely resting for the Commanders match.
Epps suffered an out-of-nowhere concussion in the middle of the week, so the Eagles are playing it safe with him and might not have been able to play in the game regardless. The Eagles hope to have him back for the playoffs, but rookie Andrew Mukuba is also injured.
As for Goedert, he's been banged up all year, but has been able to battle through it better than in the last three years. He was going to rest anyway as a key starter.
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It's not a surprise that so many players are out, as there will be more like Jalen Hurts who will not see the field at all in Week 18.