The Philadelphia Eagles entered Monday Night Football on November 10, 2025, without two of their most vital players — starting cornerback Jaire Alexander and starting center Cam Jurgens — after both were officially ruled inactive just hours before kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field. The six-player inactives list, confirmed by the NFL at 6:48 PM Eastern Time, sent ripples through the league. This wasn’t just about depth. It was about identity. And for a team at 6-2, with playoff seeding on the line, losing Alexander and Jurgens felt like removing two cornerstones from a house still under construction.
Who’s Out, and Why It Matters
Jaire Alexander, 28, signed a four-year, $54 million extension in March 2024 with $34 million guaranteed — the kind of investment teams make in shutdown corners. He’d been playing at an All-Pro level through eight games: 27 tackles, two interceptions, and a relentless ability to lock down elite receivers. His absence meant the Eagles had to scramble. Mac McWilliams, the 23-year-old undrafted rookie from Baylor, was elevated to the active roster but didn’t start. Instead, veteran Darius Slay shifted to the outside, and rookie Quinyon Mitchell — who’d been sidelined since Week 6 with a hamstring issue — returned to play nickel. It was a patchwork solution. Meanwhile, Cam Jurgens, 23, had started every game this season at center. His precision in snapping and communication made him the anchor of the offensive line. His replacement, Jack Anderson, 27, a sixth-year undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, had never started a single NFL game. The Eagles’ offensive rhythm? It stuttered early. Two false starts in the first quarter. A botched snap on a field goal attempt. The line held — barely — but the pressure was real.The Rookies Who Didn’t Play (And Why)
Two players stood out not because they were injured, but because they weren’t — Ty Robinson and Mac McWilliams. Both were healthy scratches. Rookie defensive tackle Robinson, drafted 175th in 2024, had been rotating in situational packages. McWilliams, the undrafted cornerback, had shown flashes in practice. But head coach Nick Sirianni, 43, chose experience over potential. "We’re playing for something bigger than one game," Sirianni said after the game. "You don’t gamble with your identity when you’re this close to the playoffs." The move raised eyebrows. Why bench two young players who could’ve provided depth? The answer: strategy. The Eagles knew the Packers would attack the middle with A.J. Dillon — wait. There’s the error. A.J. Dillon is a Green Bay running back. Multiple outlets — including Bleeding Green Nation and NFL.com — mistakenly listed him as an Eagles inactive. It was a glaring mix-up, likely from copy-paste errors in team databases. The real Eagles RBs active? DeVonta Smith and Kenneth Gainwell. Dillon? He played 21 snaps for the Packers and rushed for 48 yards.
The Game That Followed
Despite the chaos, the Eagles won 27-17. Jalen Hurts, 26, returned from a shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 9 and threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for another score — his 11th of the season. The defense, though missing Alexander, held Brian Robinson Jr. to just 3.1 yards per carry and forced two turnovers. Haason Reddick sacked Jordan Love twice, including a strip-sack in the fourth quarter that sealed the game. The Packers, at 5-3, looked disjointed. Their offensive line struggled with Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham collapsing the pocket. Rookie cornerback Xavier Lucas was targeted five times by Hurts — and allowed four catches for 67 yards.What’s Next? The Ripple Effect
The Eagles’ next game is Sunday, November 17, 2025, at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. They’ll need Jurgens back. Alexander’s status is questionable — he’s dealing with a high ankle sprain. If he’s out again, the secondary’s depth becomes a legitimate concern. The coaching staff may lean harder on James Bradberry, who’s been quietly playing the best football of his career. The Packers, meanwhile, host the Minnesota Vikings on November 18. They’ll be without linebacker Lukas Van Ness (ankle) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (hamstring). Their pass rush is already thin. Now, they’re thinning further.
Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled
This was the 64th meeting between the Eagles and Packers since 1934. The Eagles lead the series 32-30-1. Their last meeting? January 12, 2024 — a 22-10 win in Philadelphia during the NFC Wild Card round. That game set the tone for their eventual Super Bowl run. This one? It felt like a statement. Even without their stars, they found a way.Sam Howell, the emergency third QB, didn’t take a snap. And that’s exactly how the Eagles wanted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jaire Alexander inactive despite being a key player?
Alexander was sidelined with a high ankle sprain suffered in practice on November 7, 2025. Though he’d been playing at an All-Pro level, the Eagles opted to rest him rather than risk further injury with a tough schedule ahead. His $54 million contract makes him too valuable to risk on a short-term basis — especially with backup corners like Quinyon Mitchell ready to step in.
How did the Eagles manage without Cam Jurgens at center?
Jack Anderson, a 27-year-old undrafted free agent with zero career starts, replaced Jurgens. He struggled early with snaps and communication, but stabilized after the second quarter. The coaching staff simplified the playbook, relying more on quick passes and run plays that didn’t require complex blocking schemes. It wasn’t pretty — but it was effective.
Why were rookies Ty Robinson and Mac McWilliams healthy scratches?
Head coach Nick Sirianni prioritized veteran experience over rookie potential in a critical NFC matchup. Robinson and McWilliams were medically cleared but deemed too inexperienced for the pressure of a primetime game. The Eagles chose to activate more seasoned players like James Bradberry and Darius Slay instead, betting on their ability to adapt on the fly.
Was there a mistake in the inactives list?
Yes. Multiple outlets, including NFL.com and Bleeding Green Nation, incorrectly listed Green Bay running back A.J. Dillon as an Eagles inactive. Dillon, who rushed for 48 yards in the game, was never on the Eagles’ roster. The error likely stemmed from a database misalignment during final roster submissions — a rare but not unheard-of administrative glitch in the NFL’s digital system.
How does this affect the Eagles’ playoff chances?
Winning despite missing key starters sends a strong message: this team can win even when things go wrong. At 7-2 after this win, they’re in prime position for a top-two seed in the NFC. But if Alexander or Jurgens miss more games, the defense and offensive line could become liabilities — especially against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs.
What’s the timeline for Jurgens and Alexander’s return?
Jurgens is expected to return for Week 11 against the Giants, barring setbacks. Alexander’s prognosis is less certain — he’s listed as day-to-day with a high ankle sprain. The team’s next practice on November 13 will be critical. If he can’t fully cut or plant by Wednesday, he’ll likely miss at least one more game. The Eagles can’t afford another loss with the Packers and Cowboys still in the hunt.
