The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced the inactives list for their Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders.
The following Eagles players WILL NOT PLAY: Tanner McKee, Jonathan Greenard, Elijah Moore, Micah Morris, and Cole Payton.
Well, the Eagles have FINALLY revealed their plan at QB2. With McKee inactive (but designated as the emergency third quarterback, so he can come in if the two QBs ahead of him get hurt), Andy Dalton is Jalen Hurts’ primary backup. Neither Dalton nor McKee did much to inspire confidence this summer … but at least McKee has shown some promise in the past while Dalton, who turns 39 years old next month, might be physically diminished. The Eagles are really going to hope that Hurts stays healthy.
Greenard was ruled out on Friday’s injury report. The veteran edge rusher returned to practice this week after missing all of training camp due to a pectoral strain … but he was only able to participate in a limited basis. We’ll see if Greenard is able to get back in Week 2. For now, the Eagles will roll with Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, A.J. Epenesa, and Arnold Ebiketie on the edge.
Moore is a healthy scratch after making the Eagles’ roster as a bubble player. A little curious that they kept him on the roster (as opposed to putting him on the practice squad) only to have him not suit up. But he doesn’t have a special teams background and the Eagles are dressing six receivers on Sunday: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, and Britain Covey.
No surprise that Morris is inactive. The rookie is probably going to be a healthy scratch all year, barring multiple OL injuries. The Eagles did notably keep nine offensive lineman active for this game: the five starters and then the four backups of Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, and Willie Lampkin. It remains to be seen how the Eagles will handle an injury at tackle. Kendall is likely the top backup interior option. Could Lampkin be involved in a specialized role as a blocking tight end?
Payton is the Eagles’ fourth-string quarterback, so, not surprising that he’s inactive. Unless McKee, he is totally ineligible to play in this game.
The aforementioned Covey is active after being temporarily elevated from the practice squad. He’ll likely be the Eagles’ punt returner.
Eli Stowers isn’t listed with the inactives because the Eagles put him on injured reserve.
Philadelphia Eagles inactive list
QB Tanner McKee* – Emergency third quarterback.
EDGE Jonathan Greenard – Injury.
WR Elijah Moore – Seventh wide receiver.
OL Micah Morris – Tenth offensive lineman.
QB Cole Payton – Fourth quarterback.
Washington Commanders inactive list
The Commanders are missing some key players (see: starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil and starting cornerback Trey Amos) to reserve lists but their active roster is healthy for this game.