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As It Happened - Oct. 31, 2022
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Eagles news: Jordan Davis injury update; A.J. Brown complains about ‘random’ drug test; Birds trade deadline rumors


The Eagles remain undefeated but have a short week, with a "Thursday Night Football" game against the Houston Texans.

Eagles’ defensive tackle Jordan Davis suffered an ankle injury in the Eagles' Week 8 win over the Steelers.

Heather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
What you need to know
LATESTOct. 31, 2022
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Eagles release updated injury report for Week 9

The Eagles only held a walkthrough on Monday — no one practices the day after a game, even if you do have to play again on Thursday — so this injury report is only an estimation. We already knew that Jordan Davis is going to miss this week’s game in Houston, and Josiah Scott was the only other player listed as DNP. As for the rest of the players listed as “limited,” the only reason was rest.

That’s a pretty good sign on a short week.

— Matt Mullin

Oct. 31, 2022
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Sirianni discusses Jordan Davis’ ankle injury

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t have much to offer when asked about the status of rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis’ ankle injury — and certainly didn’t weigh in on reports that he could miss 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain — when Jeff McLane asked during Sirianni’s day-after press conference.

“Still still working through that, you know,” Sirianni said. “I’m never going to put a timetable on him — and I know you didn’t ask for a timetable — but you know, probably not going to be going this week. We’ll see how it goes and how everything’s going and how everything’s working through it. Like you said, he has an ankle [injury], but I don’t know the extent of of it, of how long he’s going to be out.”

McLane pushed back and asked if that meant it wasn’t “significant,” but Sirianni again said he didn’t “have that information quite yet.”

That being said, it sounds like he’s out for at least Thursday night’s game in Houston.

» READ MORE: Jordan Davis’ ankle injury was the lone negative in the Eagles’ victory. How will he be replaced?

— Matt Mullin

Oct. 31, 2022
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Report: Eagles sign CB to practice squad

Oct. 31, 2022
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Watch: Nick Sirianni meets with the media

Nick Sirianni’s day-after press conference is starting a bit later today, at 4:50 p.m. You can stream it here.

Oct. 31, 2022
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Can defense hold its own if the offense struggles?

There’s a lot to like about the defense. Darius Slay and James Bradberry form arguably the Eagles’ best outside cornerback duo in years. Their combined 18 pass breakups are tops in the league. Inside linebackers T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White continue to swarm to the ball and keep offenses from controlling the middle. They tallied a total of 24 tackles against the Steelers. The Eagles’ defensive front has been solid. Outside linebacker Haason Reddick (one sack on Sunday) has upgraded the edge rush. Rookie nose tackle Jordan Davis has been the anchor of the base five-man front that has kept offenses from running at will.

But can the unit compensate for the offense when it isn’t clicking? Jonathan Gannon’s defense has essentially gotten the job done and had maybe its best outing against the best quarterback it faced: Kirk Cousins. The Eagles were up and then down against the capable Kyler Murray several weeks later. But the Cooper Rushes and Kenny Picketts of the position aren’t exactly playoff-worthy measuring sticks. The Eagles sacked Pickett six times on Sunday. Stopping the run early helped, but the offensive explosion forced the Steelers into becoming one-dimensional. That’s how the Eagles want to draw it up. But if there are quibbles to be found, the pass rush remains a concern.

Robert Quinn was acquired to strengthen the unit. He played 20 snaps, but was relatively quiet. Brandon Graham’s snap count dipped to 13 as a result, although he was also dealing with a hamstring injury. More worrisome is how the Eagles will replace Davis, who could be out for over a month with a high ankle sprain.. If Gannon has to devote another defender to stopping the run, and use less of his 5-1-5 package, it could leave the Eagles more susceptible through the air.

» READ MORE: What we learned from Eagles-Steelers: Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts are preparing for bigger stages

— Jeff McLane

Oct. 31, 2022
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Undefeated Eagles still not the favorite to win Super Bowl

Prior to the start of the season, the Eagles had a consensus season win total of 9.5. That was tied for 10th highest among all 32 NFL clubs.

Today? FanDuel has bumped Philadelphia’s win total to 14.5, with juice shaded to the Under at -145 (Over +125). That’s tied with the Buffalo Bills (6-1) for the highest current win total. However, Buffalo’s odds (Under -160/Over +135) indicate that oddsmakers slightly favor the Eagles to finish with the NFL’s best record.

Not surprisingly, the Bills and Eagles are also 1-2 in the Super Bowl futures market at FanDuel. Following its 27-17 home victory over Green Bay on Sunday, Buffalo’s championship odds have dipped to +230. Philadelphia is next at +550, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs (+700).

» READ MORE: Unbeaten Eagles are favored to win the NFC, second in Super Bowl odds

— Matt Jacob, The Action Network

Oct. 31, 2022
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Eagles trade deadline reports and rumors

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. Eagles GM Howie Roseman already pulled off one deal by acquiring veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears.

Here are some reports and rumors involving the Eagles ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline:

  • The Eagles made an offer to acquire former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer and Fox Sports NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano, though it’s unclear how serious they were in acquiring him. McCaffrey ultimately landed with the San Francisco 49ers, who gave up a second, third, and fourth round pick in the 2023 draft and a fifth round pick in 2024.

  • Vacchiano thinks the Eagles could be interested in acquiring Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt. “Hunt might only cost a 4th and he’d be huge as a receiver coming out of the Eagles backfield, making them hard to stop,” Vacchaiano wrote.

  • Teams are interested in Eagles left tackle Andre Dillard, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who reported that teams believe the Birds “would move him but need a good pick to do so, most likely a third-rounder.”

» READ MORE: Eagles trade targets: 3 players who could make sense with the NFL deadline looming

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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A.J. Brown complains about ‘random’ drug test

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown hopped on Twitter Monday morning to complain about being forced to take a drug test following his three touchdown performance on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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Eagles open as huge favorite over Texans ahead of ‘Thursday Night Football’ game

The Houston Texans have just one win so far during the 2022 NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, haven’t lost.

The two teams meet Thursday night in Houston, and the early point spread is pretty indicative of the talent disparity that will be on the field. The only question is: Will it get bigger?

The Eagles are favored by 13.5 points at BetMGM.

Only one other game this season has reached a spread of 14. It was Super Bowl favorite Buffalo favored by 14 over Pittsburgh in Week 5. The Bills covered that with no problem in a 38-3 win.

The Buccaneers were a 13-point favorite when they lost outright in Week 7 to the Carolina Panthers.

The Eagles have two things going for them right now: They’re really good, and their schedule is soft. History says they’re unlikely to go 17-0, but the Eagles will be big favorites almost every week from here on out.

» READ MORE: Eagles open as huge favorite over Texans ahead of Thursday Night Football game

— Jeff Neiburg, The Action Network

Oct. 31, 2022
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Nick Sirianni explains odd penalty on Brandon Graham

During the first quarter of Sunday’s game, Eagles fans were scratching their heads when Brandon Graham received an odd delay of game penalty.

“Delay of game. Defense, number 55,” referee Clete Blakeman announced. “For making a move that’s not necessary and unlike football.”

During an appearance on the WIP Morning Show Monday, Sirianni said he hadn’t had a chance to review the play, but was told it was because Graham was attempting to draw the Steelers into a false start.

“The explanation to me was that if you’re making a move like a flinch, trying truly get the guy to jump offsides and not a football move, meaning not a natural move,” Sirianni told retiring WIP host Angelo Cataldi. “If you do that and then they think it’s intentional to get them to jump, then they’re going to call a delay of game on you.”

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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Injury updates: Jordan Davis could be sidelined for four to six weeks

Jordan Davis wore a walking boot on his right leg, but needed crutches as he inched his way across the home locker room at Lincoln Financial Field. The defensive tackle’s ankle injury was probably the lone dark cloud in the Eagles’ 35-13 dismantling of the Steelers on Sunday.

But despite his postgame appearance and needing a cart to exit the field late in the first half, Davis’ injury isn’t believed to be season-threatening. Initial tests indicated that the first-round rookie suffered a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for four to six weeks, an NFL source said, confirming an initial NFL Network report.

» READ MORE: Jordan Davis’ ankle injury was the lone negative in the Eagles’ victory. How will he be replaced?

— Jeff McLane

Oct. 31, 2022
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Tony Romo wanted Eagles fans to switch over to Merrill Reese

Merrill Reese, in his 46th season as the radio voice of the Eagles, is the NFL’s longest tenured announcer.

With Sunday’s Eagles game a blowout in the fourth quarter, CBS announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo took a minute to praise Reese and his longtime partner, former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick.

“This is my favorite hometown broadcast team,” Nantz said. “Boy, do I love those two guys … Get a chance to listen to them, and you can with all the apps. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

“Absolutely,” Romo added. “And if you’re annoyed with me, which, sure, I think most people are right now, tune in over there.”

“So you do a promo against yourself?” Nantz shot back.

“I’m just honest,” Romo responded.

Reese isn’t leaving anytime soon. Earlier this year, he signed a contract with 94.1 WIP will keep him in the Eagles booth through the 2024 season.

“There’s no false excitement in my voice. What you hear is totally what I feel,” Reese told The Inquirer before the start of the season. “I feel like I can do this for a long time to come. I just absolutely love every single second of it.”

» READ MORE: Tony Romo urged CBS viewers to listen to Merrill Reese on WIP

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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Jason Kelce is both a Phillies fan and Fat Batman

After Sunday’s win, Eagles center Jason Kelce spoke to reporters decked out in the same Phillies garb he wore when he lit up the crowd (and lifted the Phanatic off the ground) during Game 3 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park.

No word if Kelce will appear during Game 3 of the World Series Monday.

It wasn’t Kelce’s only outfit on Sunday. During the fourth quarter, he donned a Batman mask to take his position as “Fat Batman” alongside the other Batmen on the team: A.J. Brown (Swole Batman), DeVonta Smith (Skinny Batman), and Quez Watkins (Fast Batman).

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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When’s the last time the Eagles started 7-0?

The Eagles remain the only undefeated team in the NFL after a 35-13 rout off the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The win keeps the Eagles in first place in the NFC East, which remains the best division in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys improved to 6-2 thanks to a blowout of the Chicago Bears, while the New York Giants lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, dropping them down to 6-2. The Washington Commanders have won three straight after beginning the season 1-4.

Here are the NFC East standings:

Team
Eagles
W
7
L
0
T
0
Pct.
1.000
PF
196
Pa
118
Team
Cowboys
W
6
L
2
T
0
Pct.
.750
PF
183
Pa
133
Team
Giants
W
6
L
2
T
0
Pct.
.750
PF
163
Pa
157
Team
Commanders
W
4
L
4
T
0
Pct.
.500
PF
142
Pa
172

So when was the last time the Eagles began the season 7-0? You have to go back to 2004, when the Birds began the season with seven straight wins and made it all the way to Super Bowl XXXIX, which they lost against the New England Patriots.

It’s just the third time the Eagles have begun the season 6-0. Here are the previous two:

Year
2004
Start
7-0
Finish
13-3
Playoff finish
Lost Super Bowl XXXIX
Year
1981
Start
7-0
Finish
10-6
Playoff finish
Lost wild-card round

— Rob Tornoe

Oct. 31, 2022
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Eagles 2022 schedule

  • Week 1, Sept. 11: Eagles 38, Lions 35

  • Week 2, Sept. 19: Eagles 24, Vikings 7

  • Week 3, Sept. 25: Eagles 24, Commanders 8

  • Week 4, Oct. 2: Eagles 29, Jaguars 21

  • Week 5, Oct. 9: Eagles 20, Cardinals 17

  • Week 6:, Oct. 16: Eagles 26, Cowboys 17

  • Week 7: Bye week

  • Week 8, Oct. 30: Eagles 35, Steelers 13

  • Week 9, Nov. 3: Eagles at Texans (1-3-1), 8:15 p.m., Prime Video (locally on Fox29)

  • Week 10, Nov. 14: Commanders (2-4) at Eagles, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

  • Week 11, Nov. 20: Eagles at Colts (3-2-1), 1 p.m., CBS

  • Week 12, Nov. 27: Packers (3-3) at Eagles, 8:20 p.m., NBC

  • Week 13, Dec. 4: Titans (3-2) at Eagles, 1 p.m., Fox

  • Week 14, Dec. 11: Eagles at Giants (5-1), 1 p.m., Fox

  • Week 15, Dec. 18: Eagles at Bears (2-4), 1 p.m., Fox

  • Week 16, Dec. 24: Eagles at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox

  • Week 17, Jan. 1: Saints (2-4) at Eagles, 1 p.m., Fox

  • Week 18, Jan. 7 or 8: Giants at Eagles (5-1), TBD, TBD

— Rob Tornoe