The Eagles placed Howard on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Howard was one of 12 Eagles placed on the list Monday after all tested positive. In addition to Howard, fellow running back Boston Scott (illness) landed on the list, leaving rookie Kenneth Gainwell as the only healthy backfield option on the active roster ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale versus the Cowboys. Head coach Nick Sirianni already said earlier Monday that lead back Miles Sanders (hand) is expected to miss a second straight game this weekend.

Howard rushed the ball 11 times for 26 yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was limited in practice throughout the week due to a stinger, and that injury may have limited his volume and efficiency against Washington. He saw only three fewer carries than Boston Scott in the absence of Miles Sanders (hand), but he gave way in goal-line situations to Scott, who found the end zone twice. As usual, Howard was not involved in the passing attack, registering an abysmal stat line as the result. That could turn around in a Week 18 matchup against Dallas if Howard returns to health and Sanders remains sidelined.

Howard (stinger) is listed as active Sunday at Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Howard picked up a stinger last Sunday against the Giants and opened Week 17 prep with no activity at Wednesday's session. When he stepped on the practice field Thursday, he noticeably was sporting extra protection around his shoulder pads, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Howard capped the week with back-to-back limited listings but still earned a questionable tag. All along, he seemed poised to be available to the Eagles offense, and indeed he'll be just that Sunday. With Miles Sanders (hand) out of commission, Howard will join forces with Boston Scott out of the backfield, while Kenneth Gainwell is on hand as a change-of-pace option. When Sanders previously sat out Weeks 8-10 this season, Philadelphia operated with a similar setup, which amounted to 41 carries for 211 yards and three touchdowns for Howard across those three contests. Meanwhile, Scott had 35 touches for 205 yards from scrimmage and two TDs, and Gainwell turned 18 touches into 44 total yards and one score.

Howard (stinger), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Washington, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Miles Sanders (hand) ruled out, the Eagles hope Howard can join Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. That was the plan Weeks 8 through 10 when Sanders was sidelined by an ankle injury, with Howard averaging 13.7 carries for 70.3 yards and 1.0 touchdowns in a three-game stretch. Scott was also reasonably productive with 11.0 carries for 60.3 yards and 0.67 touchdowns, while Gainwell averaged only six touches and 12.1 yards per game.

Howard (stinger) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Washington, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Miles Sanders (hand) already ruled out, the Eagles hope Howard can join Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. That was the plan Weeks 8 through 10 when Sanders was sidelined by an ankle injury, with Howard averaging 13.7 carries for 70.3 yards and 1.0 touchdowns in a three-game stretch. Scott was also reasonably productive with 11.0 carries for 60.3 yards and 0.67 touchdowns, while Gainwell averaged only six touches and 12.1 yards per game. In any case, Howard could be a game-time decision ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday, having finished the week with back-to-back limited practices after sitting out Wednesday's session.

Howard (stinger) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

While Howard didn't practice Wednesday due to the stinger he picked up this past Sunday versus the Giants, coach Nick Sirianni told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia that the running back was "working like crazy" to be available Week 17 at Washington. Indeed, Howard was spotted on the field Thursday working in individual drills with extra padding around his shoulders, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. With Miles Sanders (hand) out for Sunday's game, Howard and Boston Scott would figure to man the backfield, assuming the former gains clearance to play through his injury.

Howard (stinger) didn't practice Wednesday, but coach Nick Sirianni said the running back hopes to be ready for Sunday's game against Washington, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Miles Sanders (hand) already out for at least one week, an absence from Howard could leave Boston Scott to handle a sizable workload on the ground, with rookie Kenneth Gainwell also in line for a role. At this stage, Howard still hopes to play, though he missed eight games with a similar injury back in 2019. Sanders, meanwhile, hasn't been ruled out beyond the upcoming game and isn't expected to land on IR.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Howard (neck) could play Sunday in Washington, depending on how quickly the running back recovers from the stinger he suffered in the Week 16 victory over the Giants, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before departing with the injury, Howard carried nine times for 37 yards and reeled in two of four targets for 19 yards. If he demonstrates enough progress in his recovery over the next few days, Howard could find himself as the Eagles' lead running back against the Football Team, as Sirianni already has ruled out No. 1 back Miles Sanders (hand) for Week 17. Beyond Howard, Boston Scott and rookie Kenneth Gainwell loom as challengers to poach snaps at the position, while mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts always is a threat to pilfer red-zone carries.

Howard sustained a stinger during Sunday's contest versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Miles Sanders departed prior to Howard with a hand issue of his own, and now Howard has been forced to the locker room in the fourth quarter. If Howard is unable to return, he'll end Week 16 with nine carries for 37 yards and two catches (on four targets) for 19 yards. Beyond Sanders and Howard, the Eagles have Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell as options to fill in in the backfield.

Howard (knee) was a full participant at Thursday's walkthrough.

EDGE Analysis

Howard opened Week 16 prep with a limited listing on Wednesday's injury report before bumping up to all activity one day later. The same can't be said for Miles Sanders (quadriceps), who has yet to practice this week. It's unclear if Sanders is trending toward an absence Sunday against the Giants, but Howard could be in line for more touches than normal, even if the former is active. In five appearances for the Eagles this season, Howard has averaged 5.2 yards on his 66 carries and scored three touchdowns.