The Philadelphia Eagles will be without a key playmaker when they clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2's Super Bowl 59 rematch. NFL insider Tom Pelissero is reporting that tight end Dallas Goedert will miss Sunday's showdown as he continues to battle through a knee injury. The report comes after the veteran Eagle's third consecutive missed practice.
Goedert's health has been in flux throughout most of his career, having not played a full season since his rookie year (2018). Still, that doesn't change the fact that he's one of the top playmakers in the Eagles' offense, which means a certain pass-catcher must step up in the TE1's absence this weekend.
Eagles TE Grant Calcaterra Must Step Up After Dallas Goedert is Ruled Out for Week 2
With Goedert set to watch Week 2 from the Arrowhead Stadium sidelines, Grant Calcaterra can't afford an off-game as the Eagles' de facto TE1. The former SMU product has been here multiple times throughout his Philly career, having started in 16 of his 48 career appearances — which includes 13 starts last season.
Calcaterra's performances were a mixed bag when he was forced to start last season. He tallied 23 catches for 272 receiving yards and a touchdown in those opportunities, but only finished with 30-plus yards four times. His role in the offensive game essentially disappeared once the playoffs began, and Goedert consistently suited up, proven by one four-yard catch in a quartet of appearances.
Calcaterra mainly focused on blocking duties in Week 1, all while Goedert caught each of his seven targets for 43 yards. The ex-South Dakota State Jackrabbit won't be around for an encore performance this time, meaning Calcaterra will be counted on both as a pass-catcher and blocker.
Offseason addition Kylen Granson is also with the team; however, he has more to prove before the Eagles increase his target count from the one ball he saw last week.
It'll be interesting to see if the 26-year-old TE can get anything going against Kansas City. The Chiefs limited Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly to one catch for 18 receiving yards last week, and will want to limit Calcaterra to a similar performance.
Fortunately, Calcaterra's job won't be as hard as it could be if the Eagles didn't have talented playmakers in the wings. DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown will be looking to make some noise after quiet Week 1 performances, and there's always the threat that Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley bring to the ground. As long as he doesn't make any glaring mistakes, Calcaterra will be fine.
Perhaps a strong performance in Goedert's absence will push Calcaterra into a bigger role in the Eagles' passing game going forward.