The Philadelphia Eagles are set to start a duo of Alabama alumni at guard in their matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Landon Dickerson has been the left guard since his rookie year in 2021 and has received Pro Bowl honors for the past two seasons. Tyler Steen will be making just his second NFL start and his first of the 2024 season at right guard. He played 51 snaps in last week’s 28-3 victory over the New York Giants after Mekhi Becton left the game due to a concussion. Becton did not practice this week and is ruled out for the Bengals game.
Steen also filled in for Becton earlier this season, playing 58 snaps in a 15-12 win against the New Orleans Saints on September 22.
“It requires a lot of mental toughness to stay ready without knowing when you’ll be called upon,” said Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni. “Tyler’s ability to prepare and perform under pressure has been admirable, and he made significant contributions to our win.”
With Steen stepping in, the Eagles will have their fourth different offensive line combination in just seven games this season. Left tackle Jordan Mailata is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, and Fred Johnson took over his position against the Giants. Johnson had also started at right tackle when Lane Johnson missed a game due to a concussion.
“From the beginning, our offensive line emphasizes that every player should prepare as if they’re a starter,” Dickerson explained. “You must practice and approach every task with that mindset. This standard helps build trust among teammates, especially when injuries occur. It’s crucial for all five of us to be synchronized and understand each other’s playing styles and thought processes, which is especially important given the injuries we’ve faced this season.”
Despite the ongoing changes, the Eagles managed to rush for 269 yards against New York. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw only 14 passes, scoring two touchdowns on quarterback sneaks. This rushing total marked the highest for Philadelphia since they gained 363 yards in a 40-33 win over the Green Bay Packers on November 27, 2022.
“While we ran the ball decently last Sunday, we feel we could have been more efficient,” Dickerson noted. “There were goals we didn’t achieve in the run game. It’s often the subtle adjustments we make in meetings, practices, and walkthroughs that lead to improvement.”
He added, “Ultimately, our goal is to do whatever it takes to win—whether that’s running, throwing, or a mix of both. Last Sunday’s success on the ground was vital for our victory.”
The Eagles and Bengals will clash at noon CDT on Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, with CBS affiliates in Alabama set to broadcast the game.
