Eagles moving Jason Peters to right guard, putting Jordan Mailata at left tackle, per reports
The move comes after the 38-year-old veteran struggled against the Browns on Sunday, allowing three sacks, including one that led to a safety.
The Eagles’ offensive-line carousel will continue for another week.
On the same day right tackle Lane Johnson announced he’d have season-ending surgery to repair his left ankle, NBC10 reported that Jason Peters will be moved to right guard with Jordan Mailata taking his place at left tackle for the Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks. The move comes after Peters allowed three sacks against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, including one for a safety.
Eagles left guard Isaac Seumalo wouldn’t confirm the position swap was imminent during his Friday media session but noted he’s comfortable playing with Mailata if the 23-year-old is called on.
“I don’t really know whatever the lineup situation [is],” Seumalo said. “I’ll leave that to you guys, doing your job hunting that down. But ... I have a good rapport with Jordan, not only on the field but off the field. If he’s there, I feel comfortable talking to him and communicating.”
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Peters, 38, re-signed in July with plans of playing right guard after Brandon Brooks tore his left Achilles in the offseason. The Eagles went through training camp with Peters taking nearly all the first-team reps that position, but Andre Dillard’s season-ending biceps injury left the Eagles in need of a left tackle, the position he had played since 2006. Peters, who signed a one-year deal worth $6 million to play right guard, balked at the request to play left tackle without a restructured contract.
The stalemate led to Matt Pryor and Mailata getting most of the reps at left tackle until Peters got his new deal worth up to $8 million, with $3 million guaranteed, a few days before the season opener.
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Mailata, a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft, got his first NFL playing time earlier this season when Peters missed five games because of a toe injury. The Australia native struggled at times but flashed enough potential to make the case to keep the job even after Peters returned. As a 6-foot-8, 346-pound converted rugby player, Mailata had never played football at any level before being drafted.
If Mailata does indeed get the start Monday night against Seattle, it will be the 10th iteration of the Eagles’ offensive line in 11 games. The group has been hit hard by injuries to every starter along the line, with center Jason Kelce the only one to play each game this season -- and he was briefly sidelined with an elbow injury last Sunday.