Eagles Today

Eagles' Center Jason Kelce Having Elbow Surgery

The veteran center was trying to work through some discomfort and "cleanout surgery" was considered the best option
John McMullen|
Eagles' Center Jason Kelce Having Elbow Surgery
Eagles' Center Jason Kelce Having Elbow Surgery

In this story:

Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA - Jason Kelce was absent from practice on a steamy Tuesday morning and there was good reason for that.

The Eagles' All-Pro center is having what the team described as a "routine cleanout" on his elbow after trying to work through some discomfort.

The team's medical staff and Kelce agreed that arthroscopic surgery was in his best interest and would also allow for a speedy recovery.

Kelce is in the midst of a 122-game consecutive starting streak that dates back to 2014 with the Sept. 11 opener in Detroit just over a month away.

The timing is key because the typical timeframe for that type of surgery is 4 to 6 weeks.

Kelce, though, is known for his toughness so it would be an upset if he didn't play against the Lions.

All surgeries are different but former Falcons receiver Roddy White underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in late August in 2015 and was able to return for the Atlanta opener that season against Philadelphia on Sept. 14.

The good news, if there is any, is that Cam Jurgens seems to have a good grasp of the playbook and has had a solid camp if he has to be called upon.

The rookie second-round pick took the first-team reps on Tuesday in Kelce's absence as he did at the start of camp when the veteran was ramping up after a recent bout of COVID.

Philadelphia has a number of other players capable of playing the position but will want starting guards Landon Dickerson and Isaac Seumalo to stay put.

Second-year player Jack Anderson and the recently-signed Cameron Tom will hold down the fort for the preseason behind Jurgens.

Brett Toth, who can also play center, remains on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in Week 18 of last season.

The Eagles preseason opener is Friday against the New York Jets.

-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Sports. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talker Jody McDonald, every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com and JAKIBSports.com. You can reach John at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

Published
John McMullen
JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

Share on XFollow JFMcMullen
Home/News