Philadelphia Eagles Face Injury Woes as Key Guards Battle Setbacks
Practice sessions for the Philadelphia Eagles have been a tale of resilience and misfortune, as injuries continue to plague the team’s offensive line. Recent developments saw starting right guard Mekhi Becton leave practice prematurely due to an injury to his right leg. This setback is particularly concerning, given Becton's history of issues with the same leg. Last season, Becton was seen donning a brace on his right knee while playing for the New York Jets. His condition raised eyebrows during recent practice sessions when he was observed favoring that leg.
"I finished practice," Becton stated post-session, attempting to assure fans and reporters of his condition. When asked directly about his health, he tersely responded, "good." However, the incident underscores a growing concern for the Eagles, who are attempting to maintain a solid and healthy offensive line as they approach the new season.
Compounding the team’s troubles is the plight of guard Landon Dickerson. Dickerson appeared to hobble through most drills and was seen emerging from a tough 1-on-1 rep with Milton Williams limping. Yet, in a testament to his perseverance, Dickerson managed to finish the session despite the evident discomfort. Earlier in training camp, Dickerson had been sidelined by a lacerated toe. Notwithstanding these challenges, he has impressively not missed a single day of open practices since his return from the toe injury. Moreover, although he momentarily left practice due to a knee injury, he remarkably returned later in the same session.
The Eagles’ injury concerns don’t stop there. Second-team guard Tyler Steen is currently out with an ankle injury, which he aggravated during the second preseason game. Steen’s absence has led to Brett Toth stepping up to assume first-team right guard responsibilities. The adaptability of players like Toth highlights the depth of the roster, yet the consistent injuries are an alarming trend.
As the Eagles navigated through Day 14 of practice, several key players were conspicuously absent. Those missing included Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Joseph Ngata, Moro Ojomo, Albert Okwuegbunam, Caden Sterns, John Ross, and Johnny Wilson. This extensive list of absentees could pose significant complications for the team's preparations.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are scheduled for full practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a walkthrough planned for Monday. The upcoming sessions will be critical for the team to regroup and strategize amidst these adversities. The resilience and adaptability of the Philadelphia Eagles are being tested, and the coming days will be crucial in determining how they can bridge the gap left by their injured teammates.