It was an eventful day at the training camp as injuries plagued the guard positions, leaving the coaching staff scrambling to adapt. Starting right guard Mekhi Becton was forced to leave practice prematurely due to a right leg injury. Becton, who had donned a brace on his right knee last season with the New York Jets, had been seen favoring the same leg in previous sessions. Despite the setback, Becton was optimistic, stating, "I finished practice," and responded with a confident "good" when asked about his condition.
Meanwhile, guard Landon Dickerson was another source of concern for the team. Hobbling through most of the drills, Dickerson showed visible signs of discomfort. After a tough one-on-one rep with Milton Williams, Dickerson emerged limping but demonstrated his resilience by finishing the session despite the injury. Earlier in the training camp, Dickerson had been sidelined by a lacerated toe. Since returning from that injury, he has not missed a single day of open practices, though he briefly left practice recently due to a knee issue before returning later in the same session.
Amid the chaos, second-team guard Tyler Steen is currently out with an aggravated ankle injury that he sustained during the second preseason game. This development has thrust Brett Toth into the spotlight as he steps up to assume the first-team right guard responsibilities. Toth's performance will be closely monitored as the team adapts to the changing dynamics on the field.
Further complicating matters, several key players missed Day 14 of practice. Notable absentees included Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Joseph Ngata, Moro Ojomo, Albert Okwuegbunam, Caden Sterns, John Ross, and Johnny Wilson. This flurry of injuries and absences presents a formidable challenge for the coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The schedule ahead remains packed for the Eagles, with full practices slated for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Additionally, a walkthrough is planned for Monday, offering a brief respite amid an otherwise rigorous training regimen.
The team will be looking to these upcoming sessions to regroup and strategize, particularly focusing on shoring up the guard positions. With key players like Becton and Dickerson showing promise despite their injuries, there remains a cautious optimism among the ranks. As the preseason progresses, the health and performance of these players will likely serve as a barometer for the team’s prospects heading into the regular season.