Devonta Smith and Darius Slay Out For Week 18
There has been a lot of talk of the Eagles sitting their starters in week 18. While it does not look like the Eagles will go all in and sit everyone, at least two starters will be resting during the final game. Devonta Smith (ankle) will miss his first game of the season. And Darius Slay (knee) will miss his 5th straight game after arthroscopic knee surgery.
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But as of now, no one else is listed as out for the game. Meaning as expected, the Eagles will put out their starters, at least for the first half. What is likely is that they will be watching the scoreboard for Cowboys vs Washington. And if it becomes clear the Cowboys are going to win, they will pull their own starters. But the Eagles do not want to risk sitting their starters, only for the Cowboys to get upset and for them to miss their chance to take back the Division.
If they lose, or the Cowboys win, they will be stuck as the 5 seed. Which means they will be traveling to face the winner of the NFC South. As of now that would be the Bucs. But if the Bucs lose to the Panthers, and the Saints beat the Falcons, the Saints could still sneak into the playoffs. It could also still be the Falcons if they beat the Saints, and the Bucs lose.
It seems Smith’s injury isn’t so serious that if they needed him to play, he would not try to do so. But with little chance that the game will mean anything, bad conditions predicted for Sunday’s game, and Met Life’s turf being infamous for causing injuries, the Eagles figure why risk it. They fully expect both him and Slay to be back for the playoff game, wherever that may be. In better news, it looks like Zach Cunningham will be back.
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Philadelphia Eagles Projected Week 18 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Olamide Zaccheaus
Wide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Kelee Ringo
Cornerback, #22
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 4th Round (105th Overall) in 2023James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Avonte Maddox
Cornerback, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
