What It Means:

Cooks was reportedly hoping to be traded to a contending team at the deadline, but that didn't happen and now he's sitting out. Nico Collins (groin) has also been ruled out, so the Texans will be without their two leading receivers on Thursday night. Phillip Dorsett will be the default WR1 and there will be more snaps for Chris Moore and Tyron Johnson. Rex Burkhead and Dameon Pierce could also be more involved in the passing game.

numberFire's models now project Dorsett to lead the Texans in targets (6.9) on Thursday, followed by Moore (6.4) and Brevin Jordan (6.2). Rex Burkhead is projected for 5.7 targets and Pierce is projected for 4.1 looks. The Eagles have the the third-best pass defense and third-worst run defense in our advanced team metrics for the season, creating a potential funnel for Pierce and the ground game. However, per numberFire's NFL Heat Map, the Texans are 14.0-point underdogs and they have the lowest implied total in the league this week (15.75).