Eagles rule out six players, Rams sit Aaron Donald, ahead of Week 4 game
The Eagles ruled out six players, including DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, for Sunday's Week 4 home game against the Rams. The Rams will be without Aaron Donald (back) but expect Puka Nacua to return.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1The Philadelphia Eagles ruled out six players for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams after they missed Friday's practice: DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Dallas Goedert (knee), Hollywood Brown (ankle), Fred Johnson (knee), Zach Baun (concussion) and Marcus Epps (groin). NewsweekN “The Eagles ruled out six players for Week 4 after they missed Friday's practice.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Smith will miss his first game since the 2024 season. He had missed practice all week with a hamstring problem that was on the previous week's injury report, yet he caught six of eight targets for 65 yards in Monday night's loss to the Chicago Bears. NewsweekN “Smith will sit out his first game since the 2024 season after missing practice all week.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Earlier in the week, Eagles beat reporter Tim McManus had posted on X that there was "not much optimism" Smith could play, and that Goedert was also not expected to suit up because of a knee injury from Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. NewsweekN “there is "not much optimism" that Smith will be able to play against the Rams on Sunday.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek notes Smith has 19 catches for 235 yards, the team lead, and is the only Eagles player with double-digit catches. It points to Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Makai Lemon, who has 33 yards in three games, as players who may need to step up for quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles are coming off a 27-7 loss to the Bears. NewsweekN “The former Heisman Trophy winner is the only Eagles player with double-digit catches (19) and leads the team with 235 receiving yards.” Read at Newsweek ↗ NewsweekN “The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to rebound in Week 4 from an embarrassing 27-7 loss where their offense looked lifeless.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1On defense, Baun (concussion protocol, 25 tackles) and Epps (61% of snaps in three starts) are out, and Michael Carter II or Kenny Moore II could replace Epps at safety. NewsweekN “Michael Carter II or Kenny Moore II could replace him as a starting safety.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1The Rams ruled out defensive lineman Aaron Donald, 35, with a back injury; he did not practice this week. Tight end Terrance Ferguson and cornerback Jaylen Watson will also miss the game at Lincoln Financial Field. NewsweekN “Tight end Terrance Ferguson and cornerback Jaylen Watson will also miss the Week 4 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Right · 1Coach Sean McVay said Donald "felt some soreness" after the loss to the Denver Broncos and that it would be "irresponsible" to ask him to play, saying coaches must protect players "from themselves". Fox NewsR “part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2Donald came out of retirement in late August to rejoin the Rams. He missed the Week 1 loss in Australia, played in a 28-6 win over the New York Giants and then the 30-26 loss to Denver. Myles Garrett, the other major offseason addition, remains out injured. NewsweekN “Donald ended two years of retirement to rejoin the Rams less than two weeks before their season opener.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve after sustaining an injury during Week 1 in Australia.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2McVay expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to return after two games out with a hip injury, saying he "looked sharp" in practice. The Rams are 1-2, and kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, October 4. Fox NewsR “McVay said Nacua "looked sharp" during practice this week” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “The Eagles will face off against the Rams on Sunday, October 4, at 1:00 p.m. EST” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Newsweek treats the game as an injury-impact story: how absences hurt the Eagles' offence and secondary and the Rams' defence, with stats and replacement options.
- Emphasis
- Statistics, depth-chart consequences and who might replace the absent players.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Little of McVay's own explanation for sitting Donald beyond 'a little sore'.
- Charged language
- “embarrassing”“devastating loss”“disappointing Donald news”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Fox News (OutKick) covers only the Rams side, centred on McVay's quote about protecting Donald from himself.
- Emphasis
- McVay's quotes on Donald's toughness, Garrett's absence and Nacua's return.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Eagles' six absences.
- Charged language
- “tough dudes”“revamped defensive front”
- For example
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“Sean McVay says he’s protecting star 'from himself'” — Fox News
What every side reports
- Aaron Donald is out for the Rams with a back issue.
- Puka Nacua is expected to return from a hip injury for the Rams.
- The game is Sunday, October 4, in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. ET.
- Myles Garrett remains out for the Rams.
Sean McVay person
McVay says sitting Donald is a protective decision made with the team doctor, though Donald would play and could be productive.
“it would be irresponsible on my part” — Fox News
Philadelphia Eagles organisation
The Eagles ruled out six players after they missed Friday practice, leaving the offence without Smith and Goedert.
“The Eagles ruled out six players for Week 4 after they missed Friday's practice.” — Newsweek
Los Angeles Rams organisation
The Rams will be without Donald, Ferguson and Watson but expect Nacua back.
“McVay expects star wide receiver Puka Nacua to play after missing the last two games with a hip injury.” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre3 articles
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Eagles' Jalen Hurts Bracing to Be Without Top Receiving Threat for Rams Clash
Alarmist Midweek preview warning Smith's status was in 'grave jeopardy' for the Eagles' offence.
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Rams Announce Major Aaron Donald Decision Ahead of Eagles Showdown
Neutral Reports the Rams ruling out Donald, with his comeback stats and the effect on the defence.
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Eagles Rule Out Multiple Key Players Ahead of Week 4 Game vs Rams
Neutral Lists the Eagles' six absences with stats and likely replacements.
Right1 article
-
Sympathetic Rams-focused piece built around McVay's quotes on protecting Donald.
- 2 Oct 04:13 First NewsweekN Eagles' Jalen Hurts Bracing to Be Without Top Receiving Threat for Rams Clash
- 2 Oct 22:22 +18h 9m NewsweekN Rams Announce Major Aaron Donald Decision Ahead of Eagles Showdown
- 2 Oct 22:53 +18h 40m NewsweekN Eagles Rule Out Multiple Key Players Ahead of Week 4 Game vs Rams
- 3 Oct 03:17 +23h 4m Fox NewsR Rams lose Aaron Donald to back soreness for Eagles game, Sean McVay says he’s protecting star 'from himself'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.