The Eagles are making a notable shuffle on the offensive line for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, and the change sends second-year lineman Drew Kendall to center instead of the spot he was expected to fill.
Kendall had been lined up to replace injured left guard Landon Dickerson, but an NFL Network report says the Eagles will instead start him at center and slide Cam Jurgens over to left guard. It’s a switch that could stick beyond this week if both players handle the assignment well against Tennessee.
That matchup won’t be a soft landing. Kendall and Jurgens will be tasked with helping slow down Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, one of the league’s best defensive linemen.
Kendall’s path makes the move easier to understand. He started 37 games at center at Boston College, then was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he cross-trained at both center and guard, giving the team flexibility when injuries hit.
This summer, Kendall also turned heads while working at left guard. He stood out in practice and preseason action during his second training camp, showing the kind of promise that makes him look like a future NFL starter.
The decision suggests the Eagles still view Kendall as more natural at center, even after his work at guard. At the same time, Sunday gives him a chance to show he belongs in the starting lineup long after Dickerson is back.
Dickerson’s absence has opened the door. He suffered a bone bruise in his right knee during training camp and was placed on injured reserve after Week 1. There is still no clear timetable for his return.
Jurgens, meanwhile, is hardly new to guard work. He started 11 games at right guard in 2023 before shifting back to center in 2024, so the Eagles are leaning on a player who has already handled the position before.
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