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Eagles injury report before Panthers: Barkley, Dickerson and two tight ends out, DeVonta Smith cleared

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Philadelphia will face Carolina without nine players, after four who had returned to practice from injured reserve were not activated on Saturday; center Drew Kendall is the only questionable starter left.

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WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished
Saquon Barkley at the Eagles White House visit in April 2025
File photo: Saquon Barkley during the Eagles' White House visit celebrating their Super Bowl title, April 28, 2025. Photo by The White House.

The Philadelphia Eagles will play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday without Saquon Barkley, left guard Landon Dickerson, tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers, and cornerback Jakorian Bennett, a list that grew on Saturday when the club decided not to bring four injured reserve players back in time.

Dickerson (knee), Calcaterra (back), Stowers (quad) and Bennett (knee) had all practiced this week inside their 21-day return windows and carried questionable tags into the weekend. Because each is still on injured reserve, each would have needed a roster activation by Saturday afternoon to be eligible. None came, and the team moved all four to out.

Who did not practice, who was limited

Barkley (hamstring), safety Michael Carter II (abdomen) and edge rusher Jalyx Hunt (knee, ankle) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and were ruled out on Friday, along with Jalen Hurts, whose calf blood clot sent him to injured reserve on Saturday, and running back Will Shipley (foot), who is also on IR. Edge rusher A.J. Epenesa (back) was limited on Wednesday, then missed Thursday and Friday, and is listed as doubtful.

The one questionable starter who can still play is center Drew Kendall (knee). He missed Wednesday’s work and was limited on Thursday and Friday.

There was better news at receiver. DeVonta Smith, sidelined for two games by a hamstring problem, went from no practice on Wednesday to limited work and then a full session on Friday, and he carries no designation. “I’m good,” Smith said after Friday’s practice. Dontayvion Wicks (hamstring) also finished the week with a full session, and Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Jonathan Greenard (ankle) are set to play.

What it means against Carolina

With Barkley out and Shipley and Tank Bigsby both on injured reserve, the backfield falls to Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele and Jaydon Blue, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday. Tanner McKee starts at quarterback. Willie Lampkin stays at left guard in Dickerson’s place, and Dallas Goedert again carries most of the tight end snaps.

The Panthers have their own questions up front. Right tackle Monroe Freeling (knee) is doubtful, and Taylor Moton, back from the non-football injury list after a blood clot in his lung, is questionable. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) and guard Damien Lewis (elbow) are also questionable after full practices on Friday, while running back A.J. Dillon (knee) is out.

Philadelphia, 2-3 after three straight losses, has not scored more than 24 points in a game this season, and Sunday’s lineup removes its lead runner, its starting quarterback and two of its tight ends.

What comes next

The Panthers, 2-2, visit Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. EDT; follow it in the Panthers-Eagles Game Center. Inactive lists arrive 90 minutes before kickoff. The Eagles then host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, October 26. Every designation is on the injury report.

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