The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night without their two most experienced healthy wide receivers. Both DeVonta Smith, nursing a sore hamstring, and Dontayvion Wicks, who is dealing with an ankle problem, were declared out on the team’s final injury report on Saturday, after neither player practiced at any point during the week.
For Smith, this is becoming a familiar story. The hamstring has bothered him for weeks, and Monday will be the third game he has missed this season, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Wicks, 25, will sit for the first time this year. He seemed to hurt his ankle in the closing stages of last week’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Makai Lemon steps into the spotlight
With both veterans sidelined, rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon becomes the top option at wide receiver for quarterback Tanner McKee. Lemon sounded ready for the bigger workload.
“It’s definitely a big opportunity with the team,” Lemon said. “I’m just super excited to go out there with the guys, put on a good performance.”
Hollywood Brown, who has been managing an ankle problem, practiced fully on Saturday and gives McKee another target on the outside. The bigger boost may come at tight end. Dallas Goedert sat out Friday’s session with knee inflammation but returned as a full participant a day later and carries no game status. Goedert first injured the knee against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, missed two games, and said he aggravated it again against Carolina.
“We only get 17 games. To miss a game, to miss two games, it always stinks,” Goedert said.
Saquon Barkley trending in the right direction
Saquon Barkley has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but the running back took a clear step forward this week. After being limited earlier in the week, he took part fully in Saturday’s session and carries a questionable tag. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to go Monday,” Barkley told reporters on Thursday.
Pass rush depth gets tested
The defensive side of the report is just as crowded. Nolan Smith, an outside linebacker, remains in concussion protocol and has been ruled out, as has defensive back Michael Carter II with an abdomen injury. Jonathan Greenard did not practice on Saturday because of his ankle and is listed as questionable, with the edge rusher calling it a game-time decision. Jalyx Hunt (knee, ankle) is also questionable after a week of limited work.
Four players on injured reserve, guard Landon Dickerson, cornerback Jakorian Bennett and tight ends Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra, practiced fully on Saturday. Each is listed as questionable and would have to be activated by Monday afternoon to face Dallas.
Cowboys close to getting two defenders back
The Dallas Cowboys have their own absences. Tackle Drew Shelton (hamstring), receiver and return man KaVontae Turpin (ribs) and linebacker Dee Winters (calf) are all out. Linebacker Marist Liufau and safety P.J. Locke are questionable but remain on injured reserve.
The better news for Dallas is on defense. DeMarvion Overshown, a linebacker, and cornerback Cobie Durant have each been sidelined by hamstring trouble. Both practiced fully on Friday and appear to be nearing a return for this NFC East meeting at Lincoln Financial Field. For more on the Philadelphia Eagles, follow our ongoing coverage.
