With injuries to Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith potentially sidelining key players for the game, the Eagles could be more shorthanded than anticipated. The Panthers, while traveling on the road, come off a bye, whereas Philadelphia has just returned from London, creating potential advantages for Carolina.
Eagles Sign New QB
Philadelphia signed quarterback Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. To add a player from another team’s practice squad, the new player must join the club’s 53-man roster. Milton could theoretically be active on Sunday, though it’s more likely he would serve as the emergency third quarterback and be inactive. The other quarterback on the roster is athletic, left-handed rookie Cole Payton, who would likely be kept inactive for a game, though he will already know the offense better than Milton at this point.
Milton is a strong-armed passer who played at Tennessee in college and was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in 2024. He started Week 18 in 2024 for New England, a win that affected the team’s draft positioning. He was moved to Dallas ahead of the 2025 season, and now moves again within the NFC East.
Why Jalen Hurts Isn’t Playing Against Panthers
Hurts is sidelined due to a superficial blood clot, and the Eagles issued a detailed update emphasizing they are proceeding with caution to ensure his health before returning to the field. In the interim, Philadelphia added Milton behind McKee and Payton to bolster quarterback depth.
This development means the Panthers will not face the original Week 6 quarterback plan. With Carolina already leading the NFC South, the shift could increase their chances of securing a victory this week.
