The Philadelphia Eagles have had somewhat of a hole in the middle of their offensive line ever since behemoth guard, Mekhi Becton, departed in free agency for the green pastures of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Luckily for the Eagles, 2023 third round pick, Tyler Steen, has played excellently – and is poised to take over Becton’s starting role on the right hand side of the offensive line at guard.
Unfortunately, the team has suffered a loss in the form of 3 x Pro Bowl guard, Landon Dickerson, who is currently recovering from a meniscus injury. The team – and indeed the players – are hopeful that he will be available for the start of the regular season on September 4, but his participation in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football has now been thrown into doubt.
This leaves a spot open on the offensive line. And Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes that it is “undoubtedly possible” that veteran 2018 sixth round pick, Matt Pryor, starts the first game of the season at guard in the case of Dickerson’s absence.
Landon Dickerson Could Need A Replacement For Week 1
“Mekhi Becton signed with the Chargers in free agency,” Breer wrote on Wednesday, “and to this point, his replacement, third-year man Tyler Steen, has had a fantastic summer. Until the other day, Philly felt good about where it was at the position. Then, Landon Dickerson went down, and the news resulting was pretty goodâhe needed a meniscus trim rather than a complete repair that would have put him out for the season.”
Although Dickerson won’t miss the entire season – a fate that happened to Minnesota Vikings quarterback, JJ McCarthy, Breer notes that the Pro Bowler is not certain to be available for the season opener, which could open the way for Pryor.
“Still, heâs iffy for Week 1, so the Eaglesâ depth at the position could be tested in the opener on Sept. 5, with former first-round Texan Kenyon Green also nicked up. Itâs undoubtedly possible Matt Pryor gets the start against Dallas in the opener.”
Will Matt Pryor Beat Out Kenyon Green For The Second Guard Spot?
It is still very much within the realms of possibility that Dickerson’s meniscus recovers in time to allow him to make it out for Week 1.
However, in the scenario that it does not, the Eagles will likely have to make a decision between either Matt Pryor or Kenyon Green at left guard.
Despite Green being a former first round pick who was acquired from the Houston Texans this pas offseason, right now Pryor has the clear advantage as we head towards the season.
Not only is the team far more familiar with Pryor, having had him in and around the team for a cumulative 3 + years since being drafted by the franchise in 2018; intentionally bringing him back to the fold as a backup this past offseason, but Green suffered a shoulder injury last week that will likely keep him out for the rest of the preseason.
If Pryor puts in some good work at practice and preseason, he could well be the starting guard come Week 1, if Dickerson is not available to suit up.
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