PHILADELPHIA -- In the fourth quarter, with the game tied and the Philadelphia Eagles trying to regain the lead, quarterback Nick Foles' offensive line was barely recognizable.
Left tackle Jason Peters was ejected for his part in a fight that erupted early in the drive. He was replaced by Andrew Gardner. Wade Smith, who was signed by the Eagles two weeks ago, was playing left guard. Smith was the fifth man to play that spot in the Eagles’ three games.
David Molk was at center in place of the injured Jason Kelce. Dennis Kelly, who started the game at left guard, was over at right guard. And Todd Herremans, the only one of the original five starting linemen, had moved from right guard to right tackle.
"We work on the worse-case scenario," Herremans said. "That was the worst-case scenario."
It helped, Herremans said, to be playing against Washington, a familiar division rival.
"The benefit you get playing a division rival is you’ve seen those guys before," Herremans said. "You kind of know what kind of players they are, what their favorite moves are. They’re a good defense. They played us very hard all game long."
The line had a tough time in the run game. LeSean McCoy, who rushed for more than 180 yards in his first game against Washington last season, managed 22 yards on 19 carries. That’s a 1.1-yard average.
But the line managed to keep Foles clean. Foles took some hits after throwing the ball, but he was not sacked despite throwing 41 passes. Foles completed 27 of those for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
For the second time in three games, the Eagles were down to their last offensive lineman.
"We went with the seven who were healthy," coach Chip Kelly. "Then to lose two more, that’s what you have to do. You have to be able to battle in this league. That’s what this deal is all about. Maybe the first game you’re going to be at full strength. After that, it’s can you endure? To score as many points as we did with that group, I think it’s a credit."
Peters will be back at left tackle next week. Center Jason Kelce, who injured his abdomen, could be out. Right tackle Lane Johnson has one more game left on his four-game suspension. So the Eagles could have three new starting linemen for next Sunday’s game in San Francisco.
