The Eagles got the result they wanted in Week 1, but the performance left plenty of room for concern - and now they’re losing a key piece of the offensive line because of it.
Philadelphia opened the season with a 24-22 win over the Washington Commanders, yet the offense never really found its rhythm. The game had the same uneasy feel as some of last year’s outings, with the Eagles struggling to get much going and letting Washington hang around. One of the biggest trouble spots was up front, where Landon Dickerson had a rough afternoon.
Dickerson acknowledged Monday that he wasn’t at his best against the Commanders, and the reason is now clear: he was battling through injuries. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, the Eagles are placing the left guard on injured reserve because of various ailments.
"#Eagles are placing LG Landon Dickerson on Injured Reserve, NFL sources said.
Dickerson has been playing with various ailments and clearly struggled in the opener vs. the Commanders.
Looks like it will be Drew Kendall’s or Willie Lampkin’s turn at guard. Also depends on if…"
The move could keep Dickerson out for more than four weeks, which would sideline him for matchups with the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s a meaningful stretch to miss, especially for an offensive line that already showed cracks in the opener.
Dickerson has dealt with lingering meniscus issues before, including problems that carried over from the season prior. Sunday’s game didn’t reflect the level he’s capable of reaching, either. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl three times, and the Eagles know what he can look like when he’s right.
Now the focus shifts to who fills the gap. Drew Kendall or Willie Lampkin appear to be the options at guard, and Philadelphia’s next few weeks will say a lot about how smoothly the line can hold together without him.
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Stefon Diggs Faced A Big Commanders Test After Costly Mistake
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Dan Quinn said Diggs addressed the team privately afterward, apologized, and promised to be more self-aware moving forward. For Washington, the bigger takeaway may have been the way Diggs handled the fallout, showing the kind of accountability and locker-room presence that can matter just as much as a highlight play when the pressure is on. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Adam Peters Must Answer
Washingtons Week 1 loss put a fresh spotlight on a cornerback group that did not hold up well enough, and it has already pushed the conversation beyond just internal fixes. One name surfacing in the aftermath is Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a young defender with a strong pedigree and a contract situation that has naturally started to draw attention around the league.
Porter is in the final year of his rookie deal and still does not have an extension, which is why his name has begun to circulate in trade talk. For Adam Peters, the question is whether adding a player like that is worth the price and the timing, especially with the Commanders trying to steady a defense that looks like it needs help sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Raised The Stakes For Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristils rough outing against the Eagles was the kind of game that can linger for a young cornerback, especially when a few blown assignments end up helping decide the result. For Washington, the bigger concern is not just one bad day, but how quickly a promising role can become unstable when a players attention slips and the mistakes are hard to ignore.
Dan Quinn did not leave much doubt about where he stood after the game, making it clear that Sainristils focus has to sharpen up fast. With veterans and other prospects waiting for an opening on the cornerback depth chart, the Commanders suddenly have a real evaluation on their hands, and the next stretch of games could go a long way toward determining whether Sainristil holds his place or becomes one of the first names in line for a change. [Read more 🡒]