Jason Kelce injury: Eagles center may play in Texans game

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to receive good news regarding the status of their injured players. On Monday it was announced that both starting inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (story) and starting left guard Evan Mathis (story) will return to practice (though Mathis can't return to game action until November 10).

Now, it appears that Eagles starting center Jason Kelce may be able to return a week earlier than originally expected. Week 10 seemed to be the target return date for Kelce, who suffered a sports hernia injury during the Eagles-Redskins game in Week 3. According to Evan Mathis in an appearance on Philly Sports Talk, however, Kelce may be ready to return as soon as Week 9 as the Eagles prepare to face the Houston Texans.

I think Jason Kelce is ahead of schedule and if all things go well for him he could POSSIBLY play against the Texans - @EvanMathis69

— PSTonCSN (@PSTonCSN) October 20, 2014

Now, that's far from official... but at the least it's an encouraging sign for Kelce's progress.

Filling in for Kelce during his absence has been backup center David Molk. The second-year offensive lineman has mostly struggled but Molk played his best game of the season most recently in Week 6 during the Eagles' 27-0 victory over the New York Giants. The Eagles also recently re-signed Julian Vandervelde for more center depth.

With returns of Kelce and Mathis on the horizon, the Eagles' projected starting offensive line should be full intact (for the first time all year) by as soon as Week 10. That's great news for Philadelphia as the team prepares to face a tough slate of games down the final stretch.