Offensive lineman resumes practice in anticipation of Eagles’ NFC East showdown

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles received encouraging news: their starting left guard, Landon Dickerson, returned to practice. The Eagles’ opportunity to secure the NFC East title in Sunday’s critical matchup against the Washington Commanders is just days away.

According to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Dickerson, who sustained a knee injury during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-13 victory last week, actively engaged in offensive line maneuvers and warmups. Although the 26-year-old guard only played 31 possessions before being replaced by freshman Tyler Steen, his return offers a substantial advantage to an offensive line that is responsible for countering Washington’s aggressive pass rush.

Dickerson’s presence is essential for safeguarding quarterback Jalen Hurts and facilitating the Eagles’ ground game, as the Commanders rank sixth in the NFL in blitz frequency, deploying additional rushers on 29.6 percent of dropbacks. In the Week 11 matchup against Washington, running back Saquon Barkley scorched the defense with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns, a performance that was made possible by the exceptional play of the offensive line.

Dickerson has been a critical component of Philadelphia’s offensive success this season, with a pass-blocking grade of 72.6 (23rd among 128 qualified guards) and a run-blocking grade of 79.0 (13th), as reported by Pro Football Focus. He achieved a 90.0 run-blocking grade and permitted zero pressures across 63 plays in his Week 11 matchup against Washington, which was one of his most impressive performances.

Dickerson’s heath will be a critical factor in the Eagles’ game plan as they prepare for a potential division-clinching victory. His status will be further clarified by the official injury report on Thursday; however, his participation in practice indicates that he is optimistic about a full recovery.

Philadelphia hopes to further establish their dominance in the NFC East with Dickerson’s return to the lineup, following their 26-18 victory over Washington earlier this season.

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This narrative was initially published on December 20, 2024, at 12:29 p.m.