This isn't your everyday inactive list.
As expected, the Eagles will use Sunday's game against the Cowboys to rest some injured (and not so injured) starters ahead of their Wildcard playoff game next weekend against the Packers, Giants or Buccaneers (more on that below).
Chief among those injured starters is Michael Vick, who will be inactive today as the team's third quarterback. Vick sustained a quad contusion Tuesday night against the Vikings, and has used this week to rest, heal and begin looking ahead towards next week's potential matchups.
Also inactive for the Eagles is cornerback Asante Samuel and receiver DeSean Jackson. Samuel will give his knee an extra week of rest, while Jackson continues to battle through an injured foot. Both will certainly benefit from what amounts to a bye in Week 17 for the Eagles.
The Eagles offense will also be without starting running back LeSean McCoy, and starting right tackle Winston Justice. Expect to see Jerome Harrison taking most of the snaps at running back Sunday afternoon, and King Dunlap at right tackle. While Jason Peters is active, Austin Howard will likely see significant time at left tackle (if he doesn't start).
Defensively for the Eagles, DE Trent Cole, DT Trevor Laws and LB Stewart Bradley are inactive. Defensive ends Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and Bobby McCray are likely to see significant time.
In terms of playoff scenarios, the simplest and most likely outcome has the Packers coming to Lincoln Financial Field next weekend. If Green Bay beats Chicago this afternoon at home, they will clinch the sixth seed and eliminate New York and Tampa Bay from playoff contention. Remember, Chicago has already secured the second seed and will likely rest some key players for part of, if not the entire game.
If the Bears beat the Packers, however, then the Giants grab control of their own destiny. A Packers loss combined with a Giants win in Washington clinches the sixth seed for New York and sends the Giants to Philadelphia.
If both the Giants and Packers lose, then Tampa Bay can clinch the sixth seed with a win in New Orleans.
By early evening, the Eagles will know who they'll face in the first round of the 2010 NFC playoffs. Stay tuned to PhiladelphiaEagles.com as we'll start breaking down the matchup as soon as the Eagles and Cowboys wrap up the regular season.
-- Posted by Josh Goldman, 2:55 p.m., January 2
