Philadelphia Eagles Face Offensive Line Challenge as Jordan Mailata Expected to Miss Time
The Philadelphia Eagles are bracing for a significant adjustment on their offensive line, as head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that left tackle Jordan Mailata is likely to be sidelined for the next few games. This news comes after a tense moment during the Eagles’ hard-fought 20-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, where Mailata was carted off the field on a stretcher with a left hamstring injury.
The towering 6-foot-8, 365-pound tackle was immediately ruled out of the game and was later seen utilizing crutches in the locker room, raising concerns among fans and teammates alike. “It looks like Jordan will be out for a couple of weeks,” Sirianni said in a press conference on Monday. “We’ll see exactly how long he’s out. I don’t have that information yet, but Jordan is doing his best to try to make a play, and unfortunately, it happened.”
With Mailata’s absence looming, Sirianni noted that “everything is on the table” regarding potential adjustments to the lineup. One option may be moving Mekhi Becton from guard to tackle as the Eagles prepare to face the New York Giants (2-4) this Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “We have a good ability to do different things because of the roster that Howie Roseman and his team have created, along with the flexibility that coach Jeff Stoutland instills in players to be versatile,” Sirianni explained. “So, there is flexibility. We are in the early stages of the process, and we will find out over the course of the week.”
In Mailata’s absence, Fred Johnson stepped up, playing the final 13 offensive snaps after Mailata’s injury. The Eagles are looking to maintain their momentum, currently sitting at 3-2, and every player will need to rise to the occasion, especially with a division rivalry game on the horizon.
Mailata, who is just 27 years old, has been a rock on the Eagles’ offensive line, starting all five games this season and 62 of his 67 career games since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft as a former Australian rugby player. His absence will be felt, but the Eagles are determined to adapt and keep their playoff aspirations alive.
