The Philadelphia Eagles have found their stride since their bye week. They have emerged as a complete roster on both sides of the ball and look to make a deep postseason push. However, they may have hit a bit of a stumbling block. They lost one of their top-receiving targets this week. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert was announced to be on injury reserve earlier Saturday, Dec. 7. With this weapon over the middle out of action, how will the team adjust moving forward?
The Background on Goedert
Goedert has been a consistent weapon on the team since he was drafted to them. According to Pro Football Reference, he was drafted with the 49th pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the team. In his rookie season, Goedert caught 33 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. Pretty solid production for a backup to the established starter at the time Zach Ertz.
The Eagles tight end has gone on in his career to catch 345 passes for 4,030 yards and 24 touchdowns. His best statistical year came in 2021 when he caught 56 passes for 830 yards and four touchdowns just like his rookie season. He has consistently reached 500 receiving yards or more from his sophomore season onward.
This year, Goedert has caught 38 passes for 441 yards and two touchdowns. His best game of the season came against the New Orleans Saints. He caught 10 passes for 170 yards. While he has been somewhat underutilized this season, he has also had a pair of 60+ yard performances against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers and the Washington Commanders.
Being how consistent Goedert has been over the years and his several standout performances this year, losing him will certainly be an impact to the offense, however how much of an impact?
How Do The Eagles Move Forward?
Thankfully, there is one area of the offense that the Eagles have made the focal point of their team, that being the run game. It is well documented that Saquon Barkley has emerged as the heart and soul of this offense. They have to lean on him even more now but he seems up to the task. Barkley is very much in the running for league MVP, so he’ll continue to be the focal point of the offense.
The Eagles also have several big receiving weapons to lean on in Goedert’s absence. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have arguably proven to be the best-receiving tandem the Eagles have ever had. They put up 1,000 yards receiving regularly and should be able to carry the load in the receiving game while Goedert is gone. Perhaps Brown and Smith will get more targets in the middle of the field. This would bring back some of the threat Goedert presented.
Also, Goedert’s injury doesn’t appear to be season-ending. According to NBC Sports, Goedert is scheduled to miss the next four games. That would mean he’d be able to return in week 18, just in time for the playoffs.
That’s crucial because if the Eagles are going to make a deep postseason push, they’ll need all the weapons they can get.
Main Image: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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