Goedert, Davis are making progress on returning from injuries
Reinforcements are coming for the 10-1 Eagles.
On Wednesday morning, the Eagles activated the 21-day practice window for rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
Davis, the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft, is eligible to return from injured reserve Sunday, when the Eagles host two-time All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. Davis, the 6-foot-6, 336-pound nose tackle, suffered a high ankle sprain duringtheOct.30 game against the Steelers.
For the first time in four weeks, Davis was back on the practice field Wednesday as a participant during the team’s scheduled walk-through.
The rookie did not speak to reporters during the media availability, although he did make a brief appearance and seemed to be in an upbeat mood while he walked across the locker room. When asked if Davis could play Sunday vs. Tennessee, coach Nick Sirianni declined to discuss his status.
“He’s doing a good job, he’s rehabbing,” Sirianni said of Davis. “I’m not ever going to give anybody a timetable. We don’t have to make a decision quite yet about that, so, we will see.”
Sirianni remained tight-lipped, but several of Davis’ teammates expressed excitement about the rookie’s looming return.
“Shoot — he’s going to make us deeper than we already are,” fellow defensive tackle Milton Williams said. “Everybody knows what the big fella is capable of. We’re going to have a deep room. We have the potential to be the best [defensive line] in the league.”
With Davis missing the last four games, the team has suffered
lapses in its run defense. The Eagles attempted to fix those issues with the additions of veteran defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph, pairing them across the interior with Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Williams.
The Eagles rank second in the NFL in total defense (304.4 yards allowed per game) and 18th in rushing defense (120.7). Henry is second in the NFL with 1,048 rushing yards and third with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Over his first six career games, Davis compiled 14 tackles. His presence might have been most felt, though, away from the stat sheet. Given his massive frame and bullish athleticism, Davis often attracted the attention of multiple blockers, which opened up avenues for other teammates to make plays in the backfield.
“I can’t wait to play with [Davis],” Joseph said. “Today is really the first time we’ ll be practicing together, so it’ s going to be really good to get him back.
“We have to be more physical than [the Titans]. We have to play with great technique and make less mistakes than we did last week. It’s definitely going to come down to the guys up front this week. It’s going to be a great challenge.”
Goedert inches closer to recovery
Ahead of the team’s walkthrough, tight end Dallas Goedert was spotted inside the weight room, where he squatted nearly 300 pounds. Moments before his workout, Goedert spoke to reporters and provided an update regarding his shoulder injury, which he described as a small fracture.
Goedert was hurt during the Eagles’ Week 10 loss to the Commanders. He was subsequently placed on IR, sidelining him for the next four games (Colts, Packers, Titans, Giants). Goedert is eligible to return in Week 15, when the Eagles travel to play the Chicago Bears.
“I want to put some positive vibes out there — I feel really good,” Goedert said. “Hopefully, everything turns out the way it’s supposed to.”
Before his injury, Goedert was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. He led all NFL tight ends in yards after the catch, and he was second on the Eagles with 43 receptions for 544 yards and three touchdowns.
“I miss being out there,” he said. “Just counting down the days until they can take me off IR. I told [general manager] Howie Roseman, ‘Man, you shouldn’t have put me on [IR]!’
“I love playing football, so I can’t wait to be out there.”
Hurts is player of the week
Jalen Hurts rushed for 157 yards, a franchise record for a quarterback, during the Eagles’ 40-33 win Sunday night over the Packers.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced Hurts as the NFC offensive player of the week. Hurts became the third quarterback in NFL history with at least 150 yards as a rusher and passer in the same game. Hurts was named the NFC player of the month in September.
Through 11 games, Hurts, 24, has thrown for 2,560 yards and 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He also has rushed 127 times for 597 yards and eight touchdowns. Hurts is one of only four quarterbacks to account for 25-plus touchdowns this season, joining Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow.
“Every player on this team — when your opportunity comes, you just try to take advantage of it,” Hurts said. “We’ve had guys that have been diligent, we have guys that have been selfless. That’s what you want in a winning team. It’s a culture thing. I’m appreciative how the guys respond to one another, how they support one another, how we all just want to achieve one common goal in the end. That’s what it’s all about.”