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Well, here’s an unexpected development: the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly placing starting left tackle Jason Peters on injured reserve. NFL insider Ian Rapoport says “an MRI revealed a toe injury that will take several weeks to heal.”
Peters had to leave the Eagles’ Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals late in overtime. Doug Pederson downplayed the severity of his status on Monday:
“Jason Peters will be okay. He came away — when you’re playing 90-plus snaps and as humid as it was, it was just some fatigue that set in late in the game. But he’s going to be fine.”
Peters then missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to “illness.” He was listed as limited in Friday’s practice due to a toe injury and ruled questionable on the final injury report.
Now he’s going to be out for three weeks at the bare minimum.
Just another Eagles season filled with significant injuries!
Peters’ absence means the Eagles will be starting a new offensive line configuration for their fourth straight game. An overview:
Week 1 — Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Nate Herbig, Jack Driscoll
Week 2 — Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Nate Herbig, Lane Johnson
Week 3 — Jason Peters, Nate Herbig, Jason Kelce, Matt Pryor, Lane Johnson
Week 4 — ?????, Nate Herbig, Jason Kelce, Matt Pryor, Lane Johnson
Jordan Mailata came in to replace Peters last week so one would assume he could be getting the start against the 49ers on Sunday Night Football. Big test for a guy who never even played football until August 2018 and has 20 career regular season snaps to his name.
Maybe Mailata ends up playing better than Peters, though? That’s a rather hopeful thought that might look foolish after he gets destroyed out there. But it’s not like Peters was playing well; he really struggled in Week 3.
If not Mailata, the Eagles could look to put Driscoll out at left tackle. Or they could put Pryor out there and put Driscoll at right guard, but that has “disaster” written all over it.
That word could also be used to describe the 2020 Eagles season outlook.
UPDATE: Mailata starting confirmed.
League source says #Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata will get his first NFL start Sunday night against the 49ers.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 3, 2020