The offense is getting a boost from an unlikely source – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Kathleen William October 14, 2024

The Eagles were finally at full strength on offense Sunday afternoon, but that didn't last long.

Dallas Goedert suffered a hamstring injury on the first drive of the Eagles' 20-16 win over the Browns and did not return. In his absence, third-year tight end Grant Calcaterra had a career game.

Goedert played just three snaps on Sunday before leaving. Calcaterra played 57 of 62 snaps on offense, which tied a career high and surpassed his previous mark of 39 against the Giants in 2022. Jack Stoll played 39/62.

It was also a career statistic game for Calcaterra, who had 4 catches for 67 yards. He had a 34-yarder and a 20-yarder in that game and quarterback Jalen Hurts seemed to trust him.

“Well, I think that's the biggest takeaway from this, and in five games there was only one time that we really had everyone out there, our clean slate, first unit, first group,” Hurts said. “And that is definitely a challenge in itself that we have to overcome as a team. But I'm very proud of how they were willing to commit and be ready.

“And then, honestly, some of these things just stand out, you know, Grant. He had two consecutive catches. Yes, the second one, honestly, should never go to him. It's not his ball. But it showed up. We were able to get it to him and he ran with the ball in his hands.”

Before Sunday's game, Calcaterra had 176 receiving yards in 34 games. He had more yards against the Browns than he had in 15 games last year. Calcaterra's performance on Sunday represents 27% of his career output.

Other offensive comments

• Jordan Mailata played the first 49 snaps of the game before exiting with a hamstring injury. Fred Johnson played the final 13 snaps and held his own against All-Pro Myles Garrett. Mailata was seen after the game on crutches and with his left leg up his sleeve.

• Jalen Hurts and four of those five offensive linemen played all 62 snaps. Devonta Smith also passed for all 62 yards and had 3 caches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

• AJ Brown played 57 of 62 games in his return after missing three games with a hamstring injury. He had a typical AJ Brown game with 6 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. After that, Jahan Dotson played 22 snaps, Johnny Wilson played 4 and Parris Campbell didn't see the field.

• At running back, Saquon Barkley played 49 of 62 snaps and had his toughest outing of the season. He had just 47 carries on 18 rushing attempts. Jim Schwartz's defense did a good job against Barkley. Kenny Gainwell played 13 snaps and Will Shipley was not used on offense.

• Reed Blankenship played his three snaps on offense. He's the deepest guy in the victory lineup. If Eagles fans see Blankenship getting offensive snaps, that's a good thing.

Defensive notes

• The biggest personnel change after the bye week was the move from Avonte Maddox to Cooper DeJean at nickel cornerback. DeJean started the game and played 52 of 57 defensive snaps (91%) and played well. Maddox was the additional defender in the dime package and was only on the field for two games.

• Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, Blankenship and CJ Gardner-Johnson did not leave the field and played all 57 snaps.

• At DT: Jalen Carter (43), Milton Williams (26), Jordan Davis (21), Moro Ojomo (21), Thomas Booker (8). Ojomo is coming under pressure and earning a real spot in this rotation.

• On the sidelines: Josh Sweat (39), Bryce Huff (31), Brandon Graham (23), Nolan Smith (21). Huff's 54% is a season high and he's finally done some good things. Huff had a couple tackles, half a sack and a QB hit in this game. The Browns have given up a lot of pressures and sacks this season, but the Eagles' front line was good on Sunday.

• When the Eagles went to their dime package, Baun remained on the field and Nakobe Dean walked. That's why Dean played 55 of 57 snaps.

• Darius Slay played 29 snaps before exiting with a knee injury. In his place, Isaiah Rodgers played 22 snaps and Kelee Ringo played 6. Having decent depth at cornerback is a win for the Eagles.