Friday night’s lengthy trip across the pond for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London gave the Eagles’ players and coaches a chance to pause after a long, unusual, and extremely active week – as unique as any this football team has had in-season in a long, long time.
On the heels of a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles launched into their preparations for the Jags knowing that injuries would be a factor in setting the lineup for Week 5 – but after that, the days and the roster took an abrupt turn – right tackle Lane Johnson retired on Tuesday and the Eagles traded center/left guard Cam Jurgens on Wednesday.
And here we are, with an international game against the 3-1 Jaguars and plenty of storylines to follow …
1. An opportunity for young players along the offensive line
This is a new look for the Eagles – like, four days of a new look. As it stands now, subject to change, the offensive line would theoretically look like this: Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Willie Lampkin at left guard, Jake Majors at center, Tyler Steen at right guard, and Markel Bell at right tackle. You know Mailata, the veteran and star of this group. Lampkin, the fans are all about. He was claimed off of waivers from the Rams last year and spent the season on Injured Reserve and then played very well in the preseason. Majors played collegiately at Texas and then signed with Tampa Bay after the 2025 NFL Draft, was cut and then signed with the Eagles’ practice squad. He has taken the first-team practice reps with Drew Kendall rehabbing a knee injury. Steen is the starter at right guard and Bell, much more comfortable with a week of reps under his belt, is at right tackle. This is as raw and inexperienced a group along the offensive line of scrimmage as the Eagles have had in a long, long time.
2. Welcome, Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele
Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby are out for Sunday, so the Eagles need help at running back. Will Shipley is likely to get the start and the heavier workload in the backfield, and then the Eagles could look at Pierce, the former Houston Texan who has 1,684 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his NFL portfolio. The Eagles also signed Carson Steele to the active roster from the practice squad. This is why Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman and Head Coach Nick Sirianni look at the practice squad as part of the roster.