The Philadelphia Eagles are officially playoff-bound once again, with the team clinching the NFC East division title, setting up an opportunity for the storied NFL franchise to defend its Super Bowl title.
Even though the team has already punched its ticket to the NFL playoffs, the Eagles still have two regular-season games remaining against the Buffalo Bills and the division rival Washington Commanders.
Along with the Eagles setting up another postseason run, the team got some good news this week about star defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who has missed the last month due to shoulder issues.
Eagles HC Nick Sirianni Gives Update on Jalen Carter
GettyJalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles
Carter has been sidelined since the loss against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28. Obviously, his absence has taken a toll on the team’s impact on the defensive side of the football, so getting him back on the field is paramount to the Eagles’ success moving forward.
Head coach Nick Sirianni gave an update on Carter’s status heading into Week 17’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on the road at Highmark Stadium.
“He’s had a good week of practice, and I’m excited to be able to get him back out there if that’s the route we go this week and if we’re ready this week,” Sirianni said of Carter during media availability on Friday. “Just excited to get him back out there, and he’s a phenomenal football player and so it’s always good when Jalen Carter is on the field.”
The Eagles will have their work cut out for them on Sunday, taking on a red-hot Bills squad led by superstar quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo has won four straight games and will be motivated to make it five in a row as it continues to compete for the AFC East division title while trying to hold off the New England Patriots.
Drake Maye and company can win the AFC East crown with a win over the New York Jets and the Bills losing to the Eagles in Buffalo.
Eagles’ Jalen Carter Opens Up About Shoulder Issues
GettyJalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles
With Carter missing a month due to his shoulder issues, the All-Pro defensive tackle opened up about what it means for him to get back to form physically ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bills, via Zach Berman of The Athletic.
“I’m going to play blocks better, play with my hands more,” Carter said. “The shoulders were kind of restricting it.”
A healthy Carter would be a game-changer for the Eagles defensively, especially with the competition taken to an entirely new level during the upcoming NFL playoffs.
“I’m trying to play every snap,” Carter said. “We gotta see. I don’t know what they’re going to do.”
“I can’t get too excited because I’m still working on it every day, still getting strength back,” Carter said. “I had a couple times (in practice) where I struck the O-line to where I could test out the shoulders, and I felt pretty good.”
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