The Philadelphia Eagles head to Northwest Stadium to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday (1 p.m. EST, FOX) in a game that is huge for both sides of this longstanding NFC East rivalry.
Washington (9-5) enters the weekend clinging to the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Commanders currently hold a one-game lead for the final wild-card spot over the Seattle Seahawks (8-6), who have a tough home game against the surging Minnesota Vikings (12-2) at Lumen Field in Sunday’s late afternoon window.
Speaking of Minnesota, the Eagles are tied atop the NFC standings with both the Vikings and Detroit Lions entering Week 16. A win would keep their hopes alive for the No. 1 seed, as Philly’s chances are currently projected at 33%, per Pro Football Network. The Eagles can also clinch the NFC East division title with a second win in five weeks against Washington.
MORE: NFL picks, predictions for Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Philadelphia’s passing game came alive in last week’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Eagles did it without starting tight end Dallas Goedert. The veteran remains on injured reserve with a knee injury, pushing former sixth-round pick Grant Calcaterra into Philly’s TE1 role.
The Commanders will be down a pair of key offensive weapons themselves in WR Noah Brown (kidney) and RB Austin Ekeler (concussion). Like Goedert, both players remain on injured reserve.
Other key starters on both sides entered the week nicked up. Who’s in and who’s out for this potential NFC wild-card playoff preview? Here’s a full team-by-team injury breakdown, with the latest updates off of Friday’s practice reports:
Eagles vs. Panthers: Full injury designations
Philadelphia Eagles
Out
This could be more about a numbers game than an injury for Covey, as he’s now logged five consecutive full practice sessions, dating back to last week. The Eagles have tightened their wide receiver rotation to four players in recent weeks: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson. Brown and Smith should dominate reps and targets against a burnable Washington pass defense.
The Eagles opened Huff’s 21-day practice window, but he’ll remain on injured reserve for at least another week. Philly’s EDGE defender group has been led by the emerging Nolan Smith Jr. and veteran Josh Sweat. Rookie Jalyx Hunt has been more in the mix as well since Huff landed on IR.
Questionable
- S Sydney Brown (concussion)
Brown has been up and down all season due to various injuries. He returned from a multi-week knee injury in Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, only to exit early via the NFL’s concussion protocol after his first special teams snap. Brown has a shot to suit up this week, though, as he was able to progress to a full practice on Friday. Brown figures to be a core special teams contributor and reserve safety for Philly, if he’s able to go.
Washington Commanders
Out
The Commanders have opened the 21-day practice window for Allen, who started the team’s first six games of the season before undergoing surgery for a partially torn pectoral muscle. Washington does expect to have its former first-round pick back at some point this season, but he’ll remain on injured reserve in the interim.
Questionable
- TE Zach Ertz (concussion)
Ertz was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints after his helmet hit the turf hard while making a one-handed catch in the second quarter. Ertz was able to ditch the non-contact jersey in practice this week, which is a good sign that he’ll be available against the franchise that drafted him No. 35 overall in 2013. He had six catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s Week 11 loss at Philadelphia.
- S Jeremy Chinn (concussion)
Like Ertz, Chinn ditched the non-contact jersey and practiced in full on Friday, which puts him on track to clear the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol. Chinn has started every game for the Commanders at safety this season. Third-year pro Percy Butler would likely be the next man up if Chinn isn’t ready.
