Eagles activate Dallas Goedert ahead of season finale vs. Giants
Goedert missed the last four games with a knee injury and could get a postseason tune-up Sunday.
The Eagles activated Dallas Goedert from injured reserve Saturday, and the tight end is available to play in the regular-season finale Sunday against the visiting New York Giants.
Goedert missed the last four games after suffering a knee injury during the Eagles’ Dec. 1 win in Baltimore. The Eagles opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week, and Goedert on Thursday said he was feeling “really good.” He was listed as a full participant during all three practices this week.
The Eagles are resting most of their starters Sunday, but it would appear the plan is for Goedert to see some playing time as he — in his words — gets “a little bit of cobwebs out” before the playoffs. Goedert said this week that he didn’t feel he needed to play Sunday to feel ready for the postseason but also wouldn’t mind getting some work in.
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“It’d be no different than not playing in the preseason, going out and playing in the first game,” he said. “But the season’s coming to an end. Missed a little bit of time this year. So the more football I can play, just the more it’s going to help me.”
Goedert has played in just nine of the Eagles’ 16 games this season. Before the knee injury, he missed Weeks 7 to 9 with a hamstring issue. Ten games — assuming Goedert plays Sunday — would mark the fewest he has played during his seven-season NFL career and would put his per-season average of games played at just 12.4 over the last five seasons. The 30-year-old’s two touchdowns mark a career low, and his 38 receptions also are his fewest since his 33 catches during his rookie season in 2018.
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The Eagles, though, would benefit from having a healed Goedert in the playoffs. He scored a touchdown to get them on the board during their Week 13 win over the Ravens and later had a key third-down catch during the put-away drive in the fourth quarter. But he suffered an injury on the next play while making a block for Saquon Barkley in the backfield.
In addition to activating Goedert on Saturday, the Eagles also elevated two practice-squad players — linebacker Dallas Gant and edge rusher Chuck Harris — for Sunday’s game.
The Eagles play in Week 18 against the New York Giants. Join Eagles beat reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith as they dissect the hottest storylines surrounding the team on Gameday Central, live from Lincoln Financial Field.