Eagles TE clearly eyeing revenge game vs Cowboys after surprising injury news
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys' roster couldn't be healthier given where we're at in the schedule. While defensive stalwarts Trevon Diggs and Leighton Vander Esch are out for the year, the team's luck as far as in-season injuries has been a pleasant surprise.
That still applies heading into Sunday night's all-important battle against the Philadelphia Eagles. Outside of running back Rico Dowdle, who was limited on Wednesday with an ankle injury, every other player on the Cowboys' 53-man roster practiced in full or was rested for a non-medical reason.
The Eagles haven't been as lucky on the injury front. It stands to reason that's what influenced Shaquille Leonard to sign with them. However, after being down some key players in recent weeks, Philly will get some reinforcements for the highly-hyped rematch.
Not only is linebacker Zach Cunningham expected back from his hamstring injury, but tight end Dallas Goedert (forearm) practiced in full on Wednesday.
It feels like Goedert had this matchup circled as his ideal return date.
On a positive note, the #Eagles should get TE Dallas Goedert (forearm) back this week and the expectation, from what I’m hearing, is that LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring) should be ready by Sunday for the Cowboys game.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 6, 2023
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert to return from controversial forearm injury vs Cowboys
Goedert suffered a fractured forearm in Week 9 against the Cowboys. Goedert avoided injured reserve with the hope that he could return for Sunday night. A short-term stint on IR would have knocked out the 28-year-old for this game.
If you remember, Goedert suffered the injury on a controversial (but clean) tackle from Dallas linebacker Markquese Bell, who countered a Goedert stiff arm by grabbing the TE's arm and wrestling him to the turf. The awkward nature of the tackle saw Bell's bodyweight fall onto Goedert's arm, causing the fracture.
It was the only way Bell could have made the tackle, but that didn't stop Eagles reporter Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer from spreading the narrative that Bell twisted Goedert's arm and intentionally fell on it so as to cause injury.
It was obvious to the naked eye that Bell didn't have malicious intent. He made a split-second decision and it saved a touchdown. Goedert's stiff-arm landed directly on Bell's facemask. Replay showed that the young defender's vision was blinded when he latched onto Goedert's limb.
Slow-motion video of Eagles TE Dallas Goedert’s broken forearm injury. Appears Cowboys safety Marquese Bell attempted to twist Goedert’s arm and he also fell directly on it upon completion of the tackle.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) November 7, 2023
Goedert is expected to miss multiple games.
🎥: FOX29’s Starling Underwood pic.twitter.com/tqRfyy3FAP
Who knows what Goedert thinks of the tackle, but he surely wasn't thrilled to miss big games against the Bills, Chiefs and 49ers ... and it's certainly no coincidence that he pushed himself to be ready to face Bell and the Cowboys four weeks later.
Pretty obvious Goedert will be out for revenge Sunday night. Our guess is Bell and the Cowboys defense will have something to say about that.
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