Center Dallas Reynolds is expected to start against against Arizona on Sunday. (US Presswire) |
The Philadelphia Eagles’ ever-changing offensive line had another new look Wednesday, when C Dallas Reynolds and LT Demetress Bell took all the reps with the first team after injuries threw them into the lineup during Sunday’s 24-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Reynolds replaced Jason Kelce (knee), who is out for the year, and Bell replaced King Dunlap (hamstring), who will miss at least this week’s game at Arizona.
The Eagles were already patching up the line with Bell and Dunlap taking turns replacing injured All-Pro Jason Peters. Now it’s Bell’s turn, and if he plays well enough, he could win back the starting job he lost to Dunlap in training camp.
Reid said Bell struggled in camp learning the Eagles’ system and terminology, but was much did much better against the Ravens. Reid believes Bell will continue to improve.
“He has a better grasp on things,’’ Reid said. “He feels more confident.”
Reynolds said confidence wasn’t a problem when he was called on to play against the Ravens.
“It was difficult,’’ he said, “but it was also kind of easy because it was like, ‘He’s down -- you’re in,’ and you didn’t have time to think about things.”
And Reynolds said the issue that has some people skeptical about him -- he spent the last three years on the practice squad -- is an asset.
“When they called on me I didn’t have to think about it -- I just played,’’ he said. “I’ve had three years to learn the system and the coaches, and I was ready when I had to be.”
As for the other linemen who have to deal with the changes, G Evan Mathis said they simply have to “roll with it’’ and play their game without worrying about the new kids on the block.
“It’s business as usual,’’ Mathis said. “Everyone talks about how it takes time to gel, but we’ve been working together in practice. People just haven’t seen us take it on the field in a game. Now they will.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow@CBSEagles.