PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles' quest for cohesion on their offensive line may not be possible this week.
Matt Tobin, who has replaced Todd Herremans at right guard, sustained a concussion late in Sunday’s loss in Green Bay, according to Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. Tobin did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday as he goes through the NFL concussion protocol.
If Tobin is able to play, it would allow the Eagles to start the same five linemen at the same positions for the third week in a row. That would be only the second time they’ve been able to do that all season. If not, either Andrew Gardner or Dennis Kelly would start at right guard.
“Andrew is real versatile,” Chip Kelly said. “He’s a guard/tackle for us. He’s played both positions for us. When he’s been in there, he’s done a good job for us. He’s a veteran. He’s been in the league for a while. He has a good amount of experience that I think he can draw on. Dennis is a guard for us. He’s done a good job for us. He’s battling in there.”
David Molk and Julian Vandervelde, who are primarily centers, can also play guard in a pinch.
The Eagles were unhappy with their line’s play in Green Bay Sunday. They were hoping to get more solid play as the group remained intact and spent more time playing together. Last season, when all five linemen started all 16 games, they developed excellent chemistry together. This year, that has not been possible.
Left guard Evan Mathis injured his left knee in the season opener and missed seven games. Dennis Kelly started two of those games, while Tobin filled in and started the next five. Jason Kelce suffered a sports hernia tear in the third game of the season and missed four games.
Herremans tore his left biceps in Arizona four weeks ago. He played the next week at Houston but opted for surgery and has missed the last two games. Herremans started one game, at San Francisco, at right tackle. Dennis Kelly started at right guard in that game.
Left tackle Jason Peters is the only lineman who has started all 10 games. The Eagles have had four starters at right tackle. Lane Johnson, last year’s first-round pick, was suspended for the first four games for a PED violation but has started all six games since his return.