Dallas Goedert has been one of the NFL’s best all-around tight ends for a few years now, and he has certainly been a central part of the Eagles’ surge to 10-2. But the veteran continues to struggle with injuries.
The seventh-year pass catcher’s latest setback is expected to key an absence. Goedert is now battling a knee injury that will sideline him on a week-to-week basis, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. While this is not expected to be a season-ending issue, a short-term IR stay may be in the cards. That would be familiar territory for Goedert.
Set to turn 30 next month, Goedert has landed on IR twice in his career. Ankle and shoulder injuries previously moved the former second-round pick off Philadelphia’s 53-man roster (in 2020 and ’22). A forearm fracture sustained last year did not, but Goedert still missed time. Goedert has already missed three games this season, with a hamstring injury sidelining him. Altogether, Goedert has missed 17 games as a pro. He has not seen any of his ailments require more than a five-week in-season recovery, however, and this one should be no exception.
The Eagles’ trade for Jahan Dotson notwithstanding, they still feature a well-defined target tree. Goedert operates as the third pillar alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Through nine games, Goedert has 38 receptions for 441 yards and two touchdowns. One of those scores came Sunday in Baltimore. While injuries have impeded him from producing eye-popping stats as a pro, the South Dakota State alum has been integral to Philly’s passing and rushing attacks.
Philly released Albert Okwuegbunam earlier this season, doing so despite using one of its IR-return activations on him, but the team also added veteran C.J. Uzomah. Grant Calcaterra remains the team’s backup tight end. The Eagles used Calcaterra as an eight-game starter; he has 17 catches for 216 yards. An extended Goedert absence would hurt the Eagles’ passing attack, especially considering both Brown and Smith have missed time this season.
Smith has missed the past two Eagles games, though the now-Saquon Barkley-powered team has motored to an eight-game win streak anyway. Were Goedert to land on IR, he would not be able to return until Week 18. This would stand to impact the team’s push for its second NFC No. 1 seed in three years.