Eagles add Joe Milton as Hurts, Barkley sit vs. Panthers
The Eagles added quarterback Joe Milton to the 53-man roster on Friday, giving them another arm with Jalen Hurts ruled out for Sunday. Saquon Barkley has also been ruled out, while DeVonta Smith appears likely to return, so the offense is still reshuffling before Carolina visits.
Quarterback depth changes fast
Per PhillyVoice, the Eagles signed Joe Milton from the Cowboys' practice squad on Friday evening and moved him onto the 53-man roster. That matters because Jalen Hurts will not play Sunday, and Tanner McKee is expected to handle the start against Carolina.
This is the kind of move that signals how thin things have gotten. The Eagles need enough stability at quarterback just to keep the game plan intact, and Milton gives them a fresh option behind McKee if the situation shifts again.
Sources: PhillyVoice, Nbcphiladelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia
More absences, one possible return
Saquon Barkley has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, which removes one of the cleanest answers for a backup quarterback. On the better side of the ledger, 6ABC reports DeVonta Smith is likely to return, which would at least give the passing game a proven target.
The broader picture is still unsettled. ESPN lists the Eagles at 2-3, and PhillyVoice's preview noted the season is spiraling after three straight losses against a Carolina team that has played better than expected through the air. Another report said the Eagles could be without 11 players, with five ruled out and six more uncertain, so this could come down to who is actually available by kickoff.
Sources: 6Abc, 973Espn, PhillyVoice, Philadelphia Eagles
What Sunday's game now asks
With Hurts and Barkley out, Sunday becomes less about matching expectations and more about surviving it cleanly. The last time the Eagles played, they lost 19-17 at Jacksonville, so another close game would still leave them searching for something steadier to build on.
Carolina comes in with Bryce Young on a strong passing start, per PhillyVoice and Yahoo Sports, which means the Eagles secondary will be tested if the offense cannot control the pace. At home, the margin for error is small.
Sources: Nj, Yahoo Sports, PhillyVoice
Further reading
- Eagles sign QB Joe Milton (PhillyVoice)
- Eagles vs. Panthers time, TV channel, stream for NFL Week 6 game – NBC10 Philadelphia (Nbcphiladelphia)
- Why Eagles players think Tanner McKee is ready for this moment (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
- ‘Ready at a moment's notice': Tanner McKee up for biggest start of his career (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
- Eagles' Saquon Barkley ruled out; DeVonta Smith likely to return (6Abc)
- Eagles Could Be Without 11 Players Against the Carolina Panthers (973Espn)
- Know your enemy: Bryce Young is on fire – but hasn't faced this Eagles secondary (PhillyVoice)
- Eagles-Panthers preview: 5 things to watch (PhillyVoice)
- Panthers vs. Eagles Injury Report (Philadelphia Eagles)
- New Eagles star unhappy with his start in Philly: ‘S--t hurts my soul’ (Nj)
- Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Eagles in Week 6 (Yahoo Sports)
Philly Sport Daily writes this brief each morning with the help of AI, working only from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Let us know @sport_philly.