It's almost time for the Philadelphia Eagles to kick off the regular season, and the organization has been mostly healthy over the last few seasons, helping pave the way for the dominant Super Bowl victory last year.
This Week 1 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys should be an easy victory, especially after the stunning trade of Micah Parsons. It also helps that the Eagles are 4-2 in the last six clashes with their NFC East rival.
Regardless, there are some legitimate injury concerns in Week 1 for Philadelphia. A.J. Brown shut down any worries about his own availability, but these six players are unlikely to suit up against the Cowboys on Thursday night.
6 Eagles Who Will Miss Week 1 vs. Cowboys
1. Landon Dickerson, G
This would represent a big loss. Landon Dickerson is one of the best guards in the league, having made three consecutive Pro Bowls while helping anchor the interior of an elite offensive line.
Unfortunately, Dickerson has a back injury and was a non-participant in Monday's practice. Head coach Nick Sirianni refused to give an update on his status, but if you don't practice three days away from a game, it's unlikely you'll play.
That said, it's a lot easier to plan for a defensive line that doesn't have Micah Parsons than it is to prepare for one that does, so fans shouldn't be overly concerned about what may just be a one-week absence.
2. Tanner McKee, QB
We already know that, in all likelihood, quarterback Tanner McKee will miss the game. He has a fractured thumb and has only been participating in individual drills this week, leaving the door open for an experienced player like Sam Howell to step up in his likely absence.
With respect to McKee, that might be best for the Eagles in the long run. He has strong stats with a 66.7% completion percentage and four touchdowns to no interceptions during his four games of action, yet Howell has actual starting experience and would be a better emergency option should anything happen to Jalen Hurts.
It's unclear how long McKee's injury will keep him out, but Howell has a great chance to steal the backup job.
3. Nakobe Dean, LB
This one is a no-brainer, and there's no need to spend much time on it. Nakobe Dean will miss at least the first four games of the regular season as he recovers from a torn patellar tendon.
He's a starter, though he's dealt with injury issues in the past, even earning votes for the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award last year. Once he's on the field, Dean will make an impact. He did have the eighth-best Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (82.5) among 189 linebackers last season, after all.
At this point, however, we're just waiting for him to get healthy and shouldn't make any projections until we know he is.
4. Andrew Mukuba, S
2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba is a highly-touted prospect and could be the C.J. Gardner-Johnson replacement that Philly ultimately needs. He was a ball-hawk at Texas with five interceptions during his final season, but he's been limited in practice and figured to be more of a rotational player either way.
Mukuba had an interception and a deflected pass in the preseason, suggesting his immense talent, yet the organization would be wise to protect his long-term health.
Against a team like Dallas, the Eagles don't need an excellent secondary, merely a decent one. They already have that, and it'd be a surprise to see Sirianni risk Mukuba's future health.
5. Joshua Uche, OLB
Another former second-round pick, Joshua Uche was also limited in practice, this time with a groin injury. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs last year and failed to make an impact, but the potential is there.
Uche had 11.5 sacks in 2022 with the New England Patriots, and though he hasn't reached those heights in recent years, he's a worthwhile dart throw. Injuries have limited Uche to just 13 games each over the last two seasons, making it difficult for him to build on his promise, particularly while he's trying to learn new systems and adjust to defensive schemes.
He's a player with immense defensive promise, though his body needs to afford him enough time to get comfortable with a defense. General manager Howie Roseman knows what he's doing, and Uche could be one of the more underrated signings of the offseason if he can stay on the field.
6. Willie Lampkin IV, C
Unfortunately, undrafted rookie Willie Lampkin IV impressively turned heads this summer as a reliable depth option on the offensive line. He has experience across the line, though his primary position is center, and Lampkin was thought to be someone who could ultimately become Cam Jurgens' direct backup.
Just like Dean, Lampkin is on injured reserve and will miss the first four games of the campaign. He was projected to just be a fourth-string center on a thin offensive line, so it appears the coaching staff wanted to rely on his versatility, but it wasn't thought that Lampkin would contribute in his first year.
Now, it's just a matter of keeping him healthy and hoping that he can deliver on the undrafted promise that Roseman and Sirianni identified.