| Eagles' Jason Kelce's injury opens the door for Steve Vallos. (US Presswire) |
This time last week, Steve Vallos didn’t have a job in the NFL, and he might not have a job at this time next week.
At the same time -- considering how things have gone with the Eagles this season -- he could also end up being a starter for a playoff contender.
Vallos is an offensive lineman from Wake Forest who has kicked around some; he played two seasons in Seattle (starting eight games) and two seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Eagles in March. He played well for the Eagles in training camp and the preseason, but was released on the final cut.
“Steve was very close to making it,’’ coach Andy Reid said. “That was one of the tougher cuts. He had a good preseason for us.”
But not quite good enough. And that’s when the waiting game began.
“I just sat at home (in Seattle) and waited for the phone to ring,’’ Vallos said. “But in this game, you never know if it will, so I was ready for that, too.’’
Then, on Sunday, he started getting text and twitter messages from family and friends, telling him that center Jason Kelce had been injured in the Eagles’ game against the Baltimore Ravens. So, Vallos knew there was a decent chance his phone would finally ring and he knew his recent experience with the team would help.
“It was easy to come back here, where I know the players, I know the offense, I know the coaches,’’ Vallos said. “I feel I can play if I have to.”
He might have to. The Eagles have lost three offensive linemen to injuries so far -- Jason Peters, Kelce and King Dunlap -- and now Vallos is a heartbeat from going from no string to first string. The odds on that are actually pretty good, since Vallos is already second on the depth chart at three difference positions – center and both guard spots.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this league,’’ he said, “it’s that you’ve got to be ready for anything.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSEagles.