It's finally time for the Philadelphia Eagles to begin their title defense as they take on the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football in Week 1. The Eagles are big 8.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook, so they shouldn't need much help, but the Cowboys are still trying to give it to them anyway.
While Jalen Hurts praised Dallas on both sides of the ball, this is a game Philadelphia should win without much trouble. The Cowboys traded away superstar Micah Parsons after bungling negotiations, and new head coach Brian Schottenheimer is now making a critical mistake himself.
Every year, there are a few teams that start slowly because they didn't let starters get warm in the preseason. Now, one projected starter who didn't suit up sounds like he doesn't even know if he'll be playing on Thursday.
Cowboys starting RB Javonte Williams said he hasn't been told what his workload will be Thursday night. "I just expect to make plays when I'm out there."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 2, 2025
On not playing in the preseason: "It kinda caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it, but whatever the coaches do, I respect…
Cowboys Leaving RB Javonte Williams in Dark on Workload Before Eagles Game
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, running back Javonte Williams said that he hasn't been told what his workload is going to be. "I just expect to make plays when I'm out there," he said.
Considering he's supposed to be the starter, that's a strange approach from Schottenheimer. Regarding the lack of preseason time, Williams sounds like he was prepared to play.
"It kinda caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it, but whatever the coaches do, I respect it. They know I'm going to go out there and give it my all whenever my number is called, so it was cool," Williams said. "It just shows the confidence and trust that they have in me. I just got to repay them for it."
Running back woes have plagued Dallas' offense since the heyday of Ezekiel Elliot, despite one good season from Rico Dowdle. Williams and Miles Sanders were both signed this offseason, and Texas rookie Jaydon Blue was drafted, so it's clear that the front office wanted to overhaul the room. It's a new system for Williams with a new offensive line, though, and his career has largely been underwhelming to this point.
Perhaps it was a decision to protect Williams, who has dealt with injuries in the past. That said, he played in all 17 of the Denver Broncos' contests in 2024 and played in 16 in 2023, so it's not as if injuries have impacted him much recently. He averaged 3.6 yards per attempt two years ago and 3.7 last season, which is pedestrian at best. Williams needed those reps to get comfortable, and don't be surprised if he gets off to a slow start.
Dallas is still making Philly's life easier, even after getting rid of the best player on the team. By keeping Williams on a need-to-know basis, Schottenheimer is showing his lack of experience. That's great news for the Eagles in Week 1, and the defensive line should expect to stifle the Cowboys' run game.