NFC East Week 8 Preview
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Entering Week 8, the NFC East Division stands with the Philadelphia Eagles still leading in first place at 6-1 after winning 31-17 on Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys are in second place at 4-2 coming off their Bye week. In third place is the Washington Commanders at 3-4 coming off a tough loss against the New York Giants 14-7. On the other side and coming in fourth is the Giants at 2-5 looking to get their second consecutive win.
Philadelphia Eagles
In Week 7 both safety Reed Blankenship and cornerback Bradley Roby were the only two inactives for the Eagles. This week Blankenship is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders while Roby will still be inactive dealing with a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle Jordan Davs was added to the injury report on Thursday after sustaining a hamstring injury. He had a limited practice on Thursday before not practicing on Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are looking to right the ship and get back in the win column against the Eagles in their second matchup of the season. The Eagles won the first game in an overtime shootout. For the Commanders this week they will be without their starting left guard Saahdiq Charles who suffered a calf injury and did not practice at all this week. Also out is starting middle linebacker Cody Barton who is dealing with an ankle injury and also did not practice this week. Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, who was on the IR, returned to practice this week. As of right now he is still in the 21-day practice window, but he did practice in full from Wednesday to Friday. Mathis is listed as questionable for Sunday. Also listed as questionable is wide receiver Curtis Samuel who is battling a foot injury. He did not practice on Wednesday, but practiced in limited fashion on both Thursday and Friday.
Dallas Cowboys
Coming out of the bye week it looked like the Cowboys would be on the better side with no injuries to worry about on the injury report, until starting left tackle Tyron Smith found himself on the report on Thursday with a neck injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, but there is optimism that he does indeed play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. More of a confirmed brighter side, safety Juanyeh Thomas is without injury designation as he fully practiced this week. He has not played since Week 4 against the New England Patriots.
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New York Giants
After a huge win against the Commanders, the Giants now face their New York counterpart the Jets. Unlike their NFC East rivals, the Giants have a longer injury report. Quarterback Daniel Jones is out for the game with the neck injury as Tyrod Taylor starts his second game in a row. Running back Gary Brightwell, who is battling a hamstring issue will also not play. Starting left guard Andrew Thomas is doubtful as he continues to fight the hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 2. Starting center John Michael Schmitz, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, right tackle Evan Neal, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and Darren Waller are all questionable for Sunday. All of them have been limited in practice all week.
