Eagles Claim Two Starters Vs. Bengals

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles ruled out two key starters for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati: tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) and right winger Mekhi Becton (concussion protocol).

Also ruled out was backup defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring), who was a healthy scratch in games before his injury. Young was also placed on injured reserve on Friday afternoon, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games.

Goedert was injured on the third offensive play of the Week 6 win against Cleveland and missed last week’s 28-3 victory over the New York Giants, in which Philadelphia dressed only two TEs, Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll.

Becton was injured after playing 15 minutes of the game against the Giants and was replaced by Tyler Steen, who was expected to start at RG against the Bengals.

The Eagles’ roster currently consists of 52 players, and the odds-on favorite to fill the 53rd spot on Saturday is rookie receiver Ainias Smith, who is on IR and opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 7; This means Philadelphia has until Monday, 7/15/2017. Activating Smith next week or keeping him on IR for the rest of the season.

Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam also has a chance to be activated off IR because the Eagles could use an extra body at the position without Goedert. Still, Okwuegbunam’s practice window opened on October 16, giving Philadelphia more time to make a decision on him.

All other players listed at injury point this week practiced fully on Friday and will be available against Cincinnati if needed; these include linebacker Zack Baun (shoulder), running back Saquon Barkley (rest), linebacker Brandon Graham (rest), Okwuegbbunam (abdominal), cornerback Eli Ricks (groin), cornerback Darius Slay (knee), Smith (ankle) and DE Josh Sweat (rest).

However, Smith and Okwuegbunam would still need to be added to the 53 to be usable.

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