NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Eagles left their NFL Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans with two significant offensive injury concerns. But with Saquon Barkley avoiding a major setback, Dallas Goedert’s situation now appears to be the more serious one. The veteran tight end exited Sunday’s 24-20 victory after suffering a knee injury while blocking and did not return.
Goedert had been one of the most important pieces of Philadelphia’s offense since the start of last season. One of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ most reliable targets across the middle and in the red zone, his injury has created a void that might be very hard to fill.
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Dallas Goedert expected to miss a few weeks with MCL sprain
NFL: New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles Joint Practice
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Goedert is likely to miss a few weeks because of the sprained MCL he suffered against Tennessee. Rapoport initially reported that Goedert would undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the knee injury, with the testing now providing the Eagles with a clearer picture.
Goedert played just 19 offensive snaps Sunday and finished with one catch for four yards on two targets before leaving. The Eagles initially listed him as questionable to return, but he never made it back onto the field. Philadelphia now has to prepare for an extended stretch without its starting tight end.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert is likely to miss a few weeks due to the sprained MCL he suffered Sunday vs. the Titans, per @RapSheet and me. pic.twitter.com/he07UQGOze
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2026
Goedert is coming off the best touchdown season of his career. He caught 60 passes for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, setting an Eagles record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a season. He also entered 2026 as the clear No. 1 tight end on the roster.
Dallas Goedert’s absence puts more pressure on Jalen Hurts
Goedert’s injury removes one of Hurts’ most trusted options, and that could make life more difficult for the quarterback over the next few weeks. Philadelphia’s new offense under coordinator Sean Mannion is still developing, and Goedert’s experience in the system gives Hurts a familiar target who can contribute as both a blocker and receiver.
His importance was especially clear in the red zone last season. Goedert accounted for 10 of Philadelphia’s red-zone receiving touchdowns in 2025, representing 58.8% of the team’s red-zone receiving scores.
Now Hurts will have to find that production elsewhere. Veteran Johnny Mundt is expected to see more work after leading Philadelphia’s tight ends with 49 snaps and 20 routes against Tennessee, while rookie Eli Stowers is already on injured reserve.
For an Eagles offense that is already trying to find its rhythm under a new play-caller, losing Goedert for several weeks puts additional responsibility on Hurts and the remaining pass catchers. Philadelphia is 2-0, but the quarterback will have to adjust quickly if Goedert’s absence stretches into a significant portion of the early season.
Hurts already showed against the Titans that the Eagles can still make things happen without Goedert. After the tight end left, Hurts leaned heavily on DeVonta Smith and delivered when Philadelphia needed him most, leading a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes to complete the comeback.
But doing it for one game is different from doing it for several weeks. Goedert remains one of Hurts’ most trusted weapons, and the question now is how long the Eagles quarterback can sustain that level of production without one of his best offensive options.