Eagles sign Mekhi Becton, but a pre-camp injury crisis looms. With Dickerson and others questionable for Week 1 vs. Dallas, can Philly's depth hold up?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
While fans were still buzzing from Jason Kelce's latest successful charity event, Howie Roseman made a splash on Thursday, signing former first-round pick Mekhi Becton to a one-year deal. The move adds intriguing, high-upside depth to the offensive line. However, the positive news was tempered by a sobering injury report, revealing a startling number of key players are already questionable for the Week 1 opener against Dallas, raising serious concerns before training camp even begins.
A staggering seven players, including starters Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Nolan Smith, are currently listed as questionable for the season opener against the Cowboys.
The Eagles have officially brought in former New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton on a one-year 'prove-it' contract. A mountain of a man with immense raw talent, Becton started 16 games last season after years of injury struggles. He provides much-needed depth behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson and could be a versatile piece for Jeff Stoutland to mold. While he won't be handed a starting job, this is a savvy move by the front office to add competition and bolster the trenches that are the foundation of this team's success.
The early-season outlook took a hit with the latest injury update. The list of players questionable for the Week 1 rivalry game is concerning: Landon Dickerson (knee), Cam Jurgens (back), Nakobe Dean (knee), Nolan Smith (triceps), Byron Young (hamstring), and Jihaad Campbell (shoulder). With two starting offensive linemen and key young defenders already banged up, the team's depth will be tested immediately. Additionally, offensive tackle Myles Hinton has been ruled out for the opener, thinning the ranks even further.
The departure of franchise icon Brandon Graham, coupled with losing Josh Sweat and trading Bryce Huff, has left a gaping hole at defensive end. The pressure now falls squarely on the shoulders of former first-round pick Nolan Smith and rookie Jalyx Hunt to step up. The Eagles are supplementing them with veterans Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche on one-year deals, hoping to strike gold. This uncertainty on the edge magnifies the importance of players like cornerback Kelee Ringo, who is being counted on to take a major leap forward in 2025. A lockdown secondary is the best friend of an inconsistent pass rush.
As the team grapples with replacing Brandon Graham's on-field production and locker-room leadership, another franchise legend continues to lead off the field. Jason Kelce's 5th annual Team 62 event was another massive success for the Eagles Autism Foundation, a reminder of the culture he helped build. On the sidelines, the coaching staff has a new look, with Kevin Patullo promoted to offensive coordinator following the departure of several assistants to the Saints. Forging a new identity without pillars like Graham will be one of the key challenges for Nick Sirianni and his new-look staff.
As the calendar inches closer to training camp, the Eagles' front office has been active, but the team's fate rests on two major variables: health and chemistry. The Becton signing is a classic low-risk, high-reward move, but it's just one piece of a complex puzzle. The real stories will unfold on the practice fields of the NovaCare Complex, where the new-look defensive line must build an identity and the medical staff will be working overtime. All eyes will be on the injury report as the massive Week 1 showdown with Dallas looms large.
