Monday's practice session turned into a day of attrition for the Eagles' offensive line as multiple key players were faced with injuries. Mekhi Becton, who already had a history with right leg issues, left the field prematurely due to what was described as a right leg injury. Becton had been wearing a brace on his right knee last season with the New York Jets and had been observed favoring the same leg in previous practice sessions.
Despite this setback, Becton remained optimistic about his condition. "I finished practice," he stated when questioned about his performance, later adding that he was "good."
Another Blow: Landon Dickerson's Struggle
Adding to the Eagles' woes, guard Landon Dickerson was seen hobbling through drills and emerged limping after a tough 1-on-1 rep with Milton Williams. Although Dickerson managed to complete the session, his resilience is becoming increasingly tested. Earlier in training camp, he was briefly sidelined by a lacerated toe but has remarkably not missed a single day of open practices since his return.
However, the knee injury that momentarily forced him off the field on Monday raised further concerns. Dickerson, known for his tenacity, rejoined the practice later in the same session, showcasing the ferocious dedication he’s come to be known for on and off the field.
Tyler Steen and Other Absentees
Adding to the mounting injury list, second-team guard Tyler Steen has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Steen originally hurt his ankle during the second preseason game and has been unable to participate since. His absence necessitated Brett Toth stepping up to assume first-team right guard responsibilities.
Such injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for a squad with several other key players missing from Day 14 of practice. The list of absentees included Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Joseph Ngata, Moro Ojomo, Albert Okwuegbunam, Caden Sterns, John Ross, and Johnny Wilson, significantly depleting the team’s roster during a critical period.
Looking Ahead
The team is scheduled for a series of comprehensive practice sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a walkthrough planned for Monday. As the Eagles brace themselves for these upcoming sessions, the focus will undoubtedly be on monitoring the health and recovery of their injured players. The resilience demonstrated by players like Dickerson and Becton could serve as a rallying point for the team as they navigate this challenging phase.
Eagles fans and coaching staff alike will be closely watching the injury reports, hoping for swift recoveries that will allow their key players to return to full strength as quickly as possible. The combination of injuries and absences has established a precarious situation, but the determination and grit shown by the team could very well turn this adversity into a galvanizing moment for the squad.