The Philadelphia Eagles are heading into Week 17 with one eye on the playoffs and the other on the injury report — a careful balance of resting key pieces, getting critical players back, and managing uncertainty along both lines of scrimmage.
However, Jalen Carter may return to the lineup, as he practiced on Tuesday for the first time since having a procedure on both shoulders after the Eagles’ loss to the Bears on Black Friday.
Carter Likely To Return, Boosting Defensive Front
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter returned to practice Tuesday after missing the last three games with a shoulder issue, putting him on track to face the Buffalo Bills.
His return is a massive boost for a defensive front that has managed without him but gains a dominant disruptor in the middle, just in time for a game that matters less for seeding and more for sharpening the team ahead of January.
Although the Eagles’ other defensive tackles performed well in his place, Carter’s dominance is a step up, as he was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl despite only playing in ten games this season.
Carter’s presence not only strengthens Philly’s pass rush and run defense but also signals the Eagles’ intention: play smart, get healthy, and enter the playoffs ready to strike.
Dean Likely Held Out Until Playoffs
Linebacker Nakobe Dean did not practice on Tuesday with a lingering hamstring issue, and reports indicate the team is likely to rest him until the playoffs.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that Dean’s chances of playing against Buffalo are “iffy.” However, he did mention that his injury is not long-term and that Dean is expected to return this season.
Dean has been among the best defensive players on the Eagles this season, with 55 tackles and four sacks from his spot in the second level of the defense. Philadelphia would be wise to preserve him for the postseason, when the former Georgia linebacker can return to the lineup fully healthy and at his best.
His absence opens the door for rookie Jihaad Campbell to see more snaps, but the Eagles are prioritizing long-term health over a short-term gain, betting that a fully healthy Dean in January is worth the temporary drop-off in Week 17.
Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson Missed Practice
The Eagles’ offensive line also faced setbacks. RT Lane Johnson (foot) and LG Landon Dickerson (calf) did not practice Tuesday, leaving lingering questions about line continuity and protection for Jalen Hurts against a Bills front that excels at penetration and pressure.
Johnson has missed the last five games with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot, and although backup right tackle Fred Johnson has allowed just one sack and seven pressures in that time, the Eagles have gone just 2-3 in that span.
The Eagles have also been giving Dickerson time to rest and heal from his calf injury, even as he has been able to play through it. With neither practicing on Tuesday, it appears that Philadelphia will once again be down two of its starting offensive linemen in Buffalo on Sunday.
The Birds are balancing injury management with playoff readiness, aiming to rest key starters while building momentum for January football. Although the Bills are a measuring stick game, having key starters healthy for the postseason is what ultimately matters for the Eagles.
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