On Monday, the Eagles activated the 21-day practice window for guard Isaac Seumalo. It’s unclear whether Seumalo will be ready to go this Sunday against the Giants, but the fact that he’s back on the practice field is a good sign.
Seumalo hurt his knee back in Week 2 against the Rams and was put on IR following the game. He hasn’t been back in the lineup since.
With Seumalo on the sideline, Nate Herbig has filled in for him at left guard. Herbig hasn’t been terrible at left guard, but Seumalo is still a clear upgrade. When Seumalo is ready to get back on the field, it’ll also improve the right guard position, with Herbig or possibly Jason Peters taking over for Matt Pryor there.
The mixing and matching along the Eagles offensive line has been a weekly tradition this year, as they’ve rolled out 7 different starting groups in 8 weeks. But they have been getting healthier on the line recently, with Jason Peters back in the lineup last week against Dallas, and Lane Johnson primed to get back on the field this week (hopefully).
It’ll be interesting to see how Doug Pederson handle Seumalo’s return. Based on what we’ve heard out of Pederson, it seems like they’ll elect to put Peters back at left tackle, meaning Jordan Mailata will sit on the bench, unless Johnson is unable to go again this week.
Putting Peters back at LT means that Herbig will probably take Pryor’s spot at right guard. Starting a 38-year-old Peters over the potential long-term starter in Mailata doesn’t make much sense, but this organization has a soft spot for Peters, even if it means starting him over someone who’s played better than him every chance he’s gotten this season.
Nevertheless, having Seumalo back will bring some stability to an offensive line that hasn’t had any this year. The best case scenario for this line, in my mind, would look something like this: (from right to left) Mailata – Seumalo – Kelce – Peters – Johnson.
That makes the most sense and would obviously be the best starting offensive line the Eagles have put on the field this season. Whether the coaching staff sees it the same way is still to be determined.