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Kelce injured as O-line does complete reshuffle

Jason Kelce left in the third quarter of the Eagles' 37-34 win over the Washington Redskins with an abdominal injury. Jason Peters was ejected in the fourth quarter because of his involvement in a fight.

Jason Kelce after suffering an injury against the Redskins. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Jason Kelce after suffering an injury against the Redskins. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

Jason Kelce left in the third quarter of the Eagles' 37-34 win over the Washington Redskins with an abdominal injury. Jason Peters was ejected in the fourth quarter because of his involvement in a fight.

An offensive line that was already decimated lost perhaps its two most valuable pieces. The Eagles scored their final 10 points behind a line with just one of its expected original starters, and all five players playing different positions.

"Everybody understands going in . . . you're not going to be at full strength, so can you endure?" coach Chip Kelly said. "They made plays when they had to. To be able to score as many points as we did with that group, I think it's a credit."

The Eagles were already down Evan Mathis, Allen Barbre, Lane Johnson, and Matt Tobin. David Molk entered the game at center in Kelce's place. When Peters left, the Eagles moved Andrew Gardner from right tackle to left tackle. Todd Herremans, who was the last original starter remaining, slid from right guard to right tackle. Dennis Kelly went from left guard to right guard. Wade Smith, whom the team signed two weeks ago, entered at left guard.

"We go over these scenarios during the week, worst-case scenarios," Herremans said. "If anyone goes down, what's going to happen, how it shuffles. After [Peters] was out of the game, we kind of shuffled around to our spot, and go back to work."

After the changes, the Eagles offense drove 76 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. But the new line struggled with run blocking. LeSean McCoy gained just 1 yard on five carries after Peters' ejection. The Eagles still won the game with deep reserves playing against a tough front seven.

Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland "does a really good job of making sure everyone knows the assignment, just in case something like this happens," Dennis Kelly said. "Looking back to last year, we kind of got spoiled with everyone staying healthy and no real issues. But obviously, that's kind of a rare occurrence in the NFL. He does a really good job of making sure everyone's ready."

It's too soon to say what the line will look like next week. Peters will be back, but there's no word yet on Kelce's prognosis. Kelce said "we'll see" in the locker room after the game, and he was bending up and down, trying to work the abdominal area.

If Kelce is out, Molk is a natural center who would step in. Tobin's potential return could prompt Chip Kelly to make a change at left guard or right tackle, where Dennis Kelly and Gardner are filling in. Johnson is due to return in Week 5, and Mathis will be back in November. But Kelce's status will be a critical story line when the Eagles return to practice this week.

"Obviously, Kelce goes down, probably the biggest thing we need to work on this week is our communication," Herremans said. "Kelce is such a great communicator and so smart. If he's not able to go next week, that's something we'll have to work on throughout the week."