As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, all eyes are on the team’s injury report, which features a couple of notable starters, such as star wideout A.J. Brown and No. 1 center Cam Jurgens.
Eagles fans are concerned about Brown’s availability for Sunday as he deals with a hamstring injury. However, the team still has DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, and Dallas Goedert, so it isn't as if quarterback Jalen Hurts will be out there alone.
As for Jurgens, who is nursing a knee injury, the concern level among Eagles fans is high. On Thursday, Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal reported that Jurgens was not practicing, which is not a good sign for his Week 8 availability.
And then to make matters worse for Eagles fans, Zach Berman of The Athletic mentioned that Brett Toth was the first one up at center drills, while Landon Dickerson was at left guard during the open portion to the media.
Eagles fans were none too pleased to hear that, and you can’t blame them. Toth didn’t play well in last week’s win against the Minnesota Vikings in relief of Jurgens, and having him out there against a Giants’ defense that he struggled against in Week 6 could be a disaster.
Eagles Can’t Put All Their Eggs into Brett Toth’s Basket in Week 8
When the Eagles played the Giants in Week 6, Toth, who started at left guard, had a 45.4 pass blocking grade in 39 pass blocks, per Pro Football Focus. He also allowed a sack, a hurry, and two pressures. It wasn’t great. Then, in last week’s game against the Vikings, the Eagles called upon Toth, not Dickerson, as he played 35 snaps at center for an injured Jurgens.
According to PFF, the 29-year-old Toth was not spectacular in run blocking (52.4 grade on 15 snaps), but showed improvement in the pass blocking department (73.9 grade on 20 snaps). That being said, Toth has some issues with snapping the ball out of shotgun formations, which limits the Eagles’ passing game and forces Hurts to be under center more.
However, the Eagles found some success from being under center, which could be something to build on going forward.
Most Eagles fans would rather have Dickerson take over at center in Week 8 and go with Sua Opeta at left guard, whom the team just signed to the practice squad earlier this week.
That wouldn’t be a bad idea, given that we've seen Dickerson, who was also banged up with a knee injury, play some center in the NFC Championship Game last season for an injured Jurgens. The three-time Pro Bowler played to a 64.9 PFF run block grade that game without surrendering a pressure to the Washington Commanders' pass rush.
As for Sunday’s game against the Giants, Eagles fans have no part of Toth at center. Again, if it were up to them, they would put Dickerson at center, and deal with Toth at left guard. Or they would go with rookie Drew Kendall at center, and keep Dickerson at left guard.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive line coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland clearly believe in Toth to get the job done. Hopefully, for fans' sake, that decision won't backfire.