The Philadelphia Eagles issued their second official injury report on Thursday in advance of their Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
This was the team’s first real practice this week since they’re regularly doing Wednesday walkthroughs.
The big news is that rookie Tyler Steen was taking first-team right guard reps during the media-attended portion of practice.
It seems like Cam Jurgens might not yet be ready to play; he was limited for the second day in a row. And if he doesn’t suit up for this game, he’ll get the benefit of two more weeks of rest with the bye up next.
Steen’s sudden emergence is undoubtedly connected to Sua Opeta’s struggles filling in for Jurgens. Only 11 guards have allowed more pressures than Opeta this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Steen looked good in a VERY small sample size (read: six snaps) last week. The 2023 third-round pick (No. 65 overall) was originally expected to compete with Jurgens for the starting right guard spot during training camp. But Steen didn’t look totally comfortable on the inside and never seriously threatened Jurgens at any point. The rookie did look better repping at left tackle in practice, which is the position Steen played at Alabama last year.
It’s conceivable that Steen will be an upgrade on Opeta. It’s also a bit nerve-wracking to have a rookie making his first NFL start against a good Dallas defense. The Eagles previously had Steen as a healthy scratch until Jurgens went on injured reserve after Week 4.
In other news, the Eagles listed three players under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Bradley Roby, Boston Scott, Grant Calcaterra.