PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Eagles' list of starters on the offensive line is literally changing by the day.
On Friday, right tackle Lane Johnson announced he would miss the remainder of the season as he deals with an ankle injury. With Johnson out, Matt Pryor steps in at right tackle. On the left side, Jason Peters has been struggling at his usual left tackle position, so Doug Pederson announced on Saturday that Peters will be switching to right guard.
"I'm excited for J.P.," said Pederson. "He's excited. A great opportunity for him. He's obviously a tremendous player, tremendous Eagle and moving back to right guard."
With Peters switching to right guard, Jordan Mailata will get a chance to step in at left tackle. Mailata has been impressive when getting a chance to play this season. Now, Mailata will have the opportunity to join Peters, Pryor, Jason Kelce, and Isaac Seumalo as a starter on the offensive front.
"He's played well," Pederson said. "He's been consistent, played good the other day, so he gets another opportunity. Really not an opportunity, but a start at left tackle with Isaac, Kelce and of course Matt Pryor there in Lane's spot."
The line shuffling comes at a critical point in the season. Even with a 3-6-1 record, the Eagles have a chance to win the NFC East. Over the past two seasons, the Eagles have played well down the stretch when they knew a playoff spot was within reach. Pederson is hoping for a similar result in 2020.
"It's something about this time of year when you start seeing sort of that light at the end of the tunnel," said Pederson. "You have an opportunity to win your division, to maybe potentially do that, and obviously have a postseason game. That all kind of motivates teams this time of the year."
There is a lot that needs to change if the Eagles are going to rally to win the division. Carson Wentz and the offensive line must improve from what has been a difficult 2020 campaign. Several of the backups such as Mailata will be asked to play greater roles over the final six games.
Pederson knows it will literally take a team effort.
"We talk about putting ourselves in the position in the month of December," Pederson said. "Kind of that fourth quarter of the season to hopefully play for a playoff game and be in the postseason. Guys see that. I think it's always been the next-man-up mentality here. We're going to do it again. As far as the next man up, they got to step in and play and perform."