PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles and Cowboys are accustomed to playing meaningful games. This one carries a different kind of meaning. Both teams are 2-4 and trying to salvage seasons that have gone sideways.
The Eagles have lost four straight and turn to quarterback Tanner McKee for his second consecutive start tonight at Lincoln Financial Field. With Jalen Hurts sidelined for the season, this is McKee’s team for the foreseeable future.
He inherits an offense struggling to find its footing. The Cowboys have problems of their own, particularly on defense. Dak Prescott still has plenty of weapons, though he has already thrown five interceptions this year.
“There is only one quarterback who is on the field, so when you step into the huddle you are expected to be the leader, know where everyone is supposed to be, get everybody on the right page,” McKee said. “And whether that’s in a workout or staying extra, being the last guy to leave the building, I feel like there is that expectation for whoever that guy is.”
The lowly NFC East is up for the taking. The injury-riddled Eagles begin a three-game stretch against division opponents. Win them and they’re in the driver’s seat. Lose a few and the season could get awfully long.
Injury report
EAGLES
Game status: OUT – DB Michael Carter II (abdomen), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), OLB Nolan Smith (concussion), WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle). QUESTIONABLE – RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), G Landon Dickerson (knee/pectoral), OLB/EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), OLB/EDGE Jalyx Hunt (knee/ankle), TE Eli Stowers (quad).
Saturday practice report: DNP – DB Michael Carter II (abdomen), OLB/EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), OLB Nolan Smith (concussion), WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle). LIMITED – OLB/EDGE Jalyx Hunt (knee/ankle). FULL – RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring), LB Zack Baun (shoulder), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), WR Hollywood Brown (ankle), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), LB Jihaad Campbell (wrist), DT Jalen Carter (wrist), WR Britain Covey (shoulder), DT Jordan Davis (shin/thumb), G Landon Dickerson (knee/pectoral), OLB/EDGE Arnold Ebiketie (shoulder), OLB/EDGE AJ Epenesa (back), TE Dallas Goedert (knee), T Fred Johnson (illness), C Drew Kendall (knee), G Willie Lampkin (illness), DT Moro Ojomo (abdomen), G Tyler Steen (shoulder), TE Eli Stowers (quad).
(Players on injured reserve are included only if designated to return and participating in practice.)
Barkley practiced in full Saturday after being limited Thursday and Friday. Goedert also returned to full participation and is cleared to play. Bennett, Calcaterra, Dickerson and Stowers would need to be activated from injured reserve to play Monday.
COWBOYS
Game status: OUT – T Drew Shelton (hamstring), WR KaVontae Turpin (ribs), LB Dee Winters (calf). QUESTIONABLE – OLB Marist Liufau (forearm), S P.J. Locke (foot).
Friday practice report: DNP – T Drew Shelton (hamstring), WR KaVontae Turpin (ribs), LB Dee Winters (calf). LIMITED – T Broderick Jones (wrist), S P.J. Locke (foot). FULL – S Alijah Clark (hamstring), CB Cobie Durant (hamstring), T Tyler Guyton (calf), OLB Marist Liufau (forearm), OLB Von Miller (rest), LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring), WR George Pickens (shoulder), CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle), CB Ameer Speed (knee).
Liufau and Locke must be activated from injured reserve to play. Pickens, Porter, Durant and Overshown have no game-status designation.
Quarterback Tanner McKee of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a pass in the second quarter against the New England Patriots during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 22, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
Pregame position grades
Here’s how the teams match up by position group in Week 7, based on track record and recent performance, with injuries taken into account. Performances will be evaluated postgame.
QB: Eagles C-, Cowboys B-
RB: Eagles C-, Cowboys B
TE: Eagles B, Cowboys B-
WR: Eagles C, Cowboys A
OL: Eagles C-, Cowboys C+
DL: Eagles B, Cowboys C+
LB: Eagles A-, Cowboys C
CB/S: Eagles B, Cowboys C-
K/P: Eagles A-, Cowboys A-
Coaching: Eagles B, Cowboys C-
On the air
Eagles (2-4) vs. Cowboys (2-4), Tonight, 8:15, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
TV: ABC (6abc in Philadelphia), ESPN: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge. ESPN2: ManningCast with Peyton and Eli Manning. NFL Network: Monday Night Football Playbook with Next Gen Stats.
Radio/streaming: 94.1-FM WIP: Merrill Reese and Mike Quick. Tico Sports (Spanish): Rickie Ricardo, Oscar Budejen and Dave Gerhardt. Westwood One (national): Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner. SiriusXM Channel 194, Eagles app (local), Disney+ and ESPN streaming options.
Last week: Eagles lost to the Panthers 25-14. Cowboys lost to the Packers 23-13.
Betting odds
Spread: Cowboys -4.5
Over/under: 44.5
Money line: Cowboys -210; Eagles +176
Notes
• The Cowboys lead the all-time series 72-58, including postseason games. Dallas won the teams’ most recent meeting 24-21 on Nov. 23, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
• Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie will be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame during halftime. The ceremony comes during one of the franchise’s most turbulent stretches in recent years.
• Former Eagles assistant Christian Parker is in his first season as Dallas’ defensive coordinator. The Cowboys rank 30th in total defense through six games. Owner Jerry Jones recently brought in veteran defensive coach Mike Pettine to help the struggling unit.
• This marks the first of three consecutive NFC East games for the Eagles. They visit Washington on Nov. 1 before hosting the New York Giants on Nov. 8.
• The Cowboys have scored just 29 points over their past two games, losses to Tampa Bay and Green Bay. Dallas has plenty of offensive talent, including Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams, but consistency has been elusive.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.