After all the talk, the rumors, and reports about what the Philadelphia Eagles are going to do with the starters in their Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders, fans officially know what the plan is.
The Eagles are indeed going to rest the starters, which The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane first reported. Eagles head coach Sirianni told the media during his availability that he would inform the team of their decision, and Eagles reporters have since shared that Sirianni did tell them that starters would be resting. As for how the team will handle Week 18 against the Commanders, that is the other part fans did not know.
Multiple Eagles reporters have shared that they will rest some starters, with others limited for the game. Some of the starters are going to dress, but not go on the field.
Eagles will be going through with resting starters for Week 18
This is a significant decision by Sirianni, as he is focused on protecting the team's top players from injury before the NFC Wild Card. More importantly, this weekend decides to capture the number two seed in the NFC, which is a lot tougher with fewer players on the team.
If the Eagles beat the Commanders and the Chicago Bears lose to the Detroit Lions, Philly would get the number-two seed. On the other hand, if the Bears win, they get the number two seed no matter what. The Eagles and Bears' Week 18 game is at the same time, 4:25 pm EST.
To put into context what Eagles fans can expect from the Eagles, The Athletic's Zach Berman shared that the team had 34 players for last year's season finale against the New York Giants. 10 players in uniform did not end up playing with two reserve quarterbacks and the right starters and key contributors. Philly listed 11 players as inactive for the contest.
McLane mentioned in his report that Jalen Hurts is going to be one of the starters who will be resting for the game, which means all eyes are on backup quarterback Tanner McKee, making his first start of the season. McKee shined at the end of last year and with another stellar performance against Washington, his trade value might sky rocket in the offseason.
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It's going to be an odd viewing weekend for Eagles fans as it will have the feels of a preseason game, but still with some playoff implications involved with the contest. This could be bigger for the Eagles' future than anything.