Eagles vs. Washington betting line jumps again because of Taylor Heinicke COVID news

The Eagles opened the week as 2.5-point favorites. It’s close to two touchdowns now.

Garrett Gilbert, here with Dallas in a preseason game in August, will likely start for Washington against the Eagles.Read moreDavid Richard / AP

by Ed Barkowitz, For The Inquirer

Published Dec. 17, 2021, 12:39 p.m. ET

» UPDATE: Sunday’s Eagles-Washington game has been postponed until Tuesday, a source says

The news that WFT starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list pushed the line on Sunday’s Eagles-Washington game to nearly two touchdowns.

With backup Kyle Allen ruled out earlier in the week, Washington could be turning to Kyle Shurmur, a La Salle High grad whose last pass in a meaningful game was at the 2018 Texas Bowl when he was at Vanderbilt.

The line opened last week at Eagles minus-2.5.

“We are at [Eagles] minus-12,” said Tom Gable, who runs the sportsbook at the Borgata in Atlantic City. That was as of 11 a.m. Friday. “The market keeps moving for them. It’s insane, but who knows how many guys Washington will even have available.”

Washington also signed Garrett Gilbert off New England’s practice squad. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Washington probably won’t name a starter until Sunday. Kickoff is at 1 o’clock. Heinicke is the 22nd Washington player to land on the COVID-19/reserve list.

DraftKings had hit Eagles minus-12.5 while FanDuel was at minus-13.5 briefly on Friday morning. FanDuel’s over/under, which was as high as 44.5 mid-week, dipped to 39.5.