Landon Dickerson finds himself contributing to the Eagles ahead of schedule
Tom Rimback
PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles drafted Landon Dickerson with the hopes that he’d eventually replace Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce once the time came.
Dickerson’s time may have come early.
When right guard Brandon Brooks left the game after the first play of the second quarter, Dickerson was inserted into the lineup for the first time since a token appearance in the 2020 CFP championship game in January. Dickerson tore his ACL during the SEC Championship in December.
This week was the first time Dickerson was cleared to practice with the team fully. A quarter into his first game he was out there with the starters.
He didn’t have the chance to be eased into the lineup.
“I mean the first time I got to practice with Landon was this week,” right tackle Lane Johnson said. “I'll get more reps with him coming in this week and maybe (Nate) Herbig, I'm not sure what's going to happen.”
Offensive line play isn’t something that can be graded right away. That takes film study. Before that happens there can only be a sense of pass-fail. For now, Dickerson gets a pass.
“I think he adjusted well during the second half, Johnson said. “He is a massive human being. When he starts figuring out that he’s is so big and strong he can start holding his own. But, we're going to go back and watch the tape.”
On the day, the Eagles line only allowed two sacks, both in the second half. The Eagles actually outgained the 49ers, 328 yards to 306, with 151 rushing yards.
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Losing a player like Brandon Brooks, even for a little while, doesn’t make the Eagles better. So far, playing an untested rookie like Dickerson is not as big a drop off as it could have been.
“We have a lot of confidence in everybody that goes out there,” quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “Everybody prepares their tails off during the week. He came in and it was his first time seeing action. I think he did a great job.”
The Eagles used 14 different starting offensive line combinations last year. Drafting Dickerson, even as he was recovering from knee surgery, was one way to ensure that they’d be prepared if more injuries were to come.
It was hoped that Dickerson would be able to contribute to the team midway through the season. Depending on how serious Brooks’ injury is, that timeline might be moved up considerably.
From the early returns, the Eagles’ confidence in Dickerson will pan out.
“Landon came in and held his own pretty well,” running back Miles Sanders said.
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