Eagles activate OG Evan Mathis, place OG Todd Herremans on injured reserve
The Philadelphia Eagles have activated offensive guard Evan Mathis from injured reserve/designated for return and placed fellow guard Todd Herremans on season-ending injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.
Mathis sprained his MCL in the Eagles' Week 1 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and was placed on IR-return the next week, keeping him out for a minimum of eight weeks.
Herremans tore his biceps in Philadelphia's loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 26 but attempted to play through it in the team's win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. The lineman was clearly limited by a brace he wore on his arm and also injured his ankle during the game, leading to the decision to place him on IR.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Herremans will have surgery to repair his biceps.
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The Eagles' offensive line has dealt with injuries and absences all season. Besides Mathis' injury, Allen Barbre injured his ankle in Week 1 and was placed on season-ending IR. Barbre started the opener at right tackle in place of Lane Johnson, who was suspended for the first four games of the season due to a failed offseason drug test.
In Philadelphia's Week 3 win over the Washington Redskins, center Jason Kelce left with an abdominal strain and had to undergo sports hernia surgery. Kelce returned on Sunday against the Texans.
Matt Tobin, who started in place of Mathis during his absence, is expected to take over for Herremans at guard. Herremans, 32, was drafted by the Eagles in 2005 and has been a full-time starter for the team since 2006. Mathis, 33, joined the team in 2011 and was First Team All-Pro last season.
The Eagles had two additional significant injuries against the Texans as well. Quarterback Nick Folesfractured his collarbone and is out six to eight weeks, while linebacker DeMeco Ryanstore his Achilles and is out for the rest of the season.
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Philadelphia is 6-2 this season and in first place in the NFC East.
- Ben Estes
