What is the story about?
The official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders are in. Does anyone actually care? Regardless, let’s take a look and run through some analysis.
OFFENSE
- Jordan Mailata is the only player who’s played 100% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps this season. He’s also played 11.79% of the Eagles’ special teams snaps.
- The Eagles’ starting offensive line configuration in each of their last three games has played 100% of the team’s snaps on offense. The continuity doesn’t really seem to be helping, though.
- Darius Cooper played the most snaps of any Eagles wide receiver for the second week in a row. He ranked second on the team in targets with six but only logged two receptions for 19 yards.
- Makai Lemon was one snap behind Cooper for the second game in a row. The Eagles’ 2026 first-round pick saw a team-high nine targets for six receptions and 57 yards. It’s been good to see Lemon getting more involved … but I do think some of the praise seems to be overboard? He’s been taking a step in the right direction, for sure. But I don’t think 17 targets resulting in 13 catches for 124 yards (9.5 average) and a touchdown is any indication that he’s a flat out stud.
- The Commanders’ defense has allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Naturally, Dallas Goedert saw just four targets for four receptions and 30 yards. Sure.
- Elijah Mitchell ended up as the top running back with Saquon Barkley’s workload limited due to his hamstring and back injuries. He saw two fewer carries than Barkley while producing four more yards. His six targets resulted in four catches for three yards. Brutal.
- Hollywood Brown: two targets, two catches, 17 yards! Awesome player! Man, wouldn’t it be a smart move for another team to make a big offer to the Eagles in order to get Brown before the NFL trade deadline? The Eagles will have a hard time letting him go … but the price just might be right.
- Elijah Moore has seen zero targets in four of his six games played this season. Just doing cardio out there.
- Dating back to Week 5, Johnny Mundt’s snap count percentage has progressively decreased each week: 32.3% to 29.7% to 24.2% to 18.8%. Just cut him and put Zach Ertz on the roster at this point.
- Eli Stowers had the fakest three receptions for 53 yards stat line that you’ll ever see. 46 of those came in garbage time on the final two plays of the game with the Commanders playing prevent defense. Good on the rookie tight end for a real seven-yard reception (where it looked like he really fought the ball as it came in) when the game was actually still competitive. Nice for him to get that experience under his belt. The Eagles should find more playing time for him as they eventually shift into evaluation mode.
- Why is Grant Calcaterra on this team?
- Jaydon Blue saw some offensive snaps in garbage time in addition to looking ineffective as a kick returner.
- Willie Lampkin lined up as a fullback on Saquon Barkley’s rushing attempt. That was cool! His block wasn’t great but they should experiment with him in that role more often.
- Fred Johnson came in as a sixth offensive lineman for Barkley’s touchdown run.
DEFENSE
- Andrew Mukuba briefly missed some time after getting evaluated for a concussion.
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr. got the start in place of an injured Jihaad Campbell and led the Eagles in total tackles. He graded out well by Pro Football Focus.
- Jalen Carter was more productive than he was against the Cowboys in Week 7. Good to see him bounce back a bit. Still not as dominant as the Eagles need him to be.
- Nolan Smith was the Eagles’ top edge rusher after missing Week 7. He’s tied with Carter for a team-leading four sacks this season.
- Jordan Davis has logged the two highest snap count percentages of his season over the past two weeks. But he’s not exactly showing up much in the box score with just a single solo tackle from those games.
- In a sign of how bleak this season is, the Eagles’ social media team (not a criticism of them, to be clear, just a commentary on how there’s not much positive to share) posted a brag about Moro Ojomo’s TFL from Sunday night:
- Jonathan Greenard played his highest snap count percentage of the season! He had a solo tackle and zero other stats. He’s logged just one quarterback hit this season. I liked the Eagles acquiring him, to be fair, but he’s just been a total zero for them thus far. I do think it could just be a lost season for him since he’s been hampered by injuries. But perhaps he’ll continue to struggle to stay healthy since he’s turning 30 this offseason.
- Arnold Ebiketie was back to being a rotational edge rusher instead of the top guy at the position after injuries forced him into the latter role.
- Jalyx Hunt’s playing time continues to be limited due to his injuries.
- Kenny Moore and Marcus Epps, who had been demoted out of a defensive role, shared some playing time.
- Ty Robinson warrants more playing time simply because the Eagles need to see what they have in him.
- Michael Carter II seemingly re-aggravated his abdomen injury in this game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Mason Reiger saw a good deal of special teams duty after being temporarily elevated from the practice squad. This was his NFL regular season debut.
- A.J. Epenesa was demoted to special teams duty only after previously having a rotational role on defense. Wonder if the Eagles might try to trade him, albeit for very little? Or just cut him and sign Reiger or Keyshawn James-Newby to the roster.
DID NOT PLAY
ACTIVE: Joe Milton, Cole Payton
INACTIVE: DeVonta Smith, Jihaad Campbell, Dontayvion Wicks, Jonathan Jones, Lane Johnson, Jake Majors, Britain Covey
- There have been calls for Milton to replace McKee. I’m not going to say no … but I don’t think it would make much of a difference. Although … Nick Foles made a good point:
- Payton was active but the Eagles did not use him on special teams like they did earlier this season.
- We’ll see if any of the injured players are able to return to practice this week.
- As a reminder, Johnson is set to remain on the Eagles’ roster until June 2027, even though he retired.
