Published on: September 14, 2023, 04:17h.
Last updated on: September 14, 2023, 04:17h.
The Philadelphia Eagles will be without running back Kenneth Gainwell in tonight’s Thursday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings due to a ribs injury.
The Eagles will also be missing safety Reed Blankenship and cornerback James Bradberry in Week 2. Blankenship is under concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Week 1, while Bradberry sustained a ribs injury in the same game.
Although the Eagles will have a quick turnaround with a Thursday game, they expect all three players, Gainwell, Blankenship, and Bradberry, to return in Week 3 when they face the Tampa Bay Bucs on Monday Night Football.
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to a ribs injury.
Swift Next Man Up
The absence of Gainwell means D’Andre Swift will take on a larger role as the Eagles’ primary running back in Week 2. Boston Scott will serve as the backup. Rashaad Penny has also been promoted from the practice squad to the regular roster.
Swift, a former second-round pick from Georgia, has impressed with his performance during his tenure with the Detroit Lions. He will be looking to make an impact against the Vikings.
Betting the Eagles on TNF and Beyond
The Eagles were initially favored by -7 points against the Vikings in their home opener. However, late money has shifted the line to -6.
The over/under for Thursday Night Football is set at 48.5 points. Different sportsbooks in Las Vegas have varying totals, with Caesars and DraftKings currently at 49 points.
In their previous games, the Eagles covered the spread against the Patriots, winning 25-20, while the Vikings fell to the Tampa Bay Bucs with a score of 20-17.
The Eagles are considered strong contenders, with +700 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII and +700 odds along with the Kansas City Chiefs to win the NFC. The San Francisco 49ers lead as the favorites with +650 odds.
The Eagles have -105 odds to win the NFC East, slightly ahead of the Dallas Cowboys at +115 odds. The Washington Commanders, despite a Week 1 victory, have +1500 odds to win the division.