Seeing a shoulder injury produce an IR stint last season, Dallas Goedert became one of several Eagles starters to sustain a short-term malady that required him to be moved off the 53-man roster for at least four games. While Goedert underwent surgery to repair a fractured forearm, he remains on the Eagles active roster a week later.
Placing the veteran tight end on IR nearly two weeks after arm surgery would be unusual, but it would not result in any additional missed games. Since the Eagles’ bye came in Week 10, the team still has the option of placing Goedert on IR and seeing him eligible to return by Week 15. Nick Sirianni, however, said (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane) he expects the sixth-year vet to remain on the active roster during his rehab effort.
Goedert’s surgery took place Nov. 6. A one-month timetable surfaced initially, and with the injury occurring just before Philadelphia’s bye, the team is planning a week-to-week strategy. Goedert remaining on the 53-man roster (and then being scratched on game days) will give the Eagles the chance to see if the former second-round pick can return earlier than expected. Parking him on IR would also mandate missed time during a key schedule sector.
Goedert will not play against the Chiefs on Monday night, and a return against the Bills in Week 12 appears unlikely as well. But the Eagles holding off on an IR move should put a return over the ensuing two weeks — against the 49ers and then the Cowboys rematch — in play. Given the strength of the Eagles’ schedule in this span, it is understandable they want to keep all options open with Goedert.
Trading Zach Ertz in 2021, the Eagles committed to Goedert — via a four-year, $57M extension — soon after. He has since solidified himself as one of the league’s best all-around tight ends. This season, Goedert has dominated Philly TE production. Jack Stoll is the only other tight end to have caught a pass for the team this season; the former UDFA has two catches. The Eagles also have August trade acquisition Albert Okwuegbunam rostered, though the ex-Bronco has only played in one game this season. Grant Calcaterra, a 2022 sixth-rounder, practiced fully after missing Week 9 with a concussion. Goedert’s absence may point to the Eagles leaning more on their wide receivers, with Julio Jones now joining Olamide Zaccheaus as auxiliary Jalen Hurts weaponry with Quez Watkins still on IR.
The Eagles are attempting to match the Seahawks (2013-14) and Packers (2020-21) as recent NFC teams to repeat in securing home-field advantage. The No. 1 seed is more critical under the NFL’s current playoff format, which has forced No. 2-seeded teams to play in the first round since the 2020 postseason expansion. At 8-1, the Eagles sit a game ahead of the Lions in this race. Although the Eagles must navigate a difficult upcoming stretch, they still have two Giants games and a Cardinals matchup remaining. Tankathon lists the Lions as having the 26th-most difficult schedule remaining; Philly’s ranks 24th.
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