The Cleveland Browns have already announced their intention to sit their key starters, including Deshaun Watson, for Thursday’s preseason game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Find out if the Eagles starters will be playing versus the Browns in Week of the NFL Preseason.
The Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their second preseason game on Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field versus the Cleveland Browns.
The second week of the preseason is typically when starters get the most reps but that might not be the case this week.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has already revealed that he won’t be playing his starters when the Browns play at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night. That should come as no surprise after three Browns starters left Tuesday’s joint practice due to injury.
However, things aren’t so clear on the Eagles’ sideline.
Are The Eagles Starters Playing vs The Browns?
Philadelphia has several players vying for spots on the 53-man roster and a few key spots on the depth chart up for grabs.
Last season, Jalen Hurts played one drive during the team’s first preseason game but he’s yet to appear in an exhibition game in 2023. The first-team offense did not take the field in the preseason following last year’s joint practice sessions with Cleveland.
Nick Sirianni has generally taken a more relaxed approach to preseason games during his tenure in Philly. With the Browns sitting their key starters, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Eagles’ head coach follow suit.
After all, Philadelphia is coming off of a long season that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance and the Eagles can hardly afford any symptoms of a hangover in an NFC East division that has suddenly become one of the strongest in the NFL.
Even if Philadelphia doesn’t play its starters, there will be plenty of reasons to watch on Thursday.
The Eagles will enter this matchup with an 0-1 record after a 20-19 loss versus the Baltimore Ravens last week.
There were a few key bright spots in the loss, especially the play of the Eagles’ rookies.
Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Sydney Brown all performed well and made their case to receive first-team snaps in Year 1. Even undrafted rookie Eli Ricks got into the action, making a push for the 53-man roster with an interception return for a touchdown.
