The Eagles may be without starting center Cam Jurgens against the Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles received some good news on the injury front ahead of the NFC Championship Game, when starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was removed from the injury report after hurting his knee in the NFC Divisional Round.
However, Hurts may be taking snaps from Landon Dickerson, and not starting center Cam Jurgens, today against the Washington Commanders.
Game update: Dickerson indeed started the game, but was hampered by a knee injury of his own throughout the first half. When the Philadelphia offense took the field to start the second half, Jurgens was in the game at center for Dickerson.
Jurgens suffered a back injury last week against the Los Angeles Rams and was listed a Questionable heading into Sunday. The team indicated that Jurgens would be a true game-time decision, based on a pre-game workout before kickoff.
According to multiple reports, Jurgens will be sidelined for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. In this video shared on social media in the hours before kickoff Jurgens can be seen chatting with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, before hugging other members of the Philadelphia offensive line:
Cam Jurgens talking with GM Howie Roseman before NFC Title Game. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/C7q9c4pCVM
— Cody Winstead (@CodyWins25) January 26, 2025
According to long-time Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane, Jurgens is indeed unable to play against the Commanders:
Cam Jurgens (back) is unable to go, per source. #Eagles will slide Landon Dickerson from LG to center and have Tyler Steen at LG.
Dickerson has played a little center in the NFL — 7 snaps this year, 35 last year — but it was his primary position at Alabama his senior season.…
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 26, 2025
Jurgens was listed as Active by the team prior to kickoff, but there are expectations he will be available only as a backup:
Cam Jurgens is active today for the #Eagles. But based on the pregame scene, one would think it would be in a backup/emergency role. https://t.co/BNRUCako3n
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 26, 2025
In Jurgens’ place will be Landon Dickerson, who will slide over from the left guard spot. Philadelphia will then put Tyler Steen into the left guard spot in the starting lineup.
Dickerson has played primarily at guard during his NFL career, with over 1,000 snaps at left guard in both 2022 and 2023, with 988 snaps at that position this season, according to charting data from Pro Football Focus. However, he does have experience at center, having played there seven snaps this year and 35 snaps a season ago.
While in college, the center was Dickerson’s primary position, as he logged over 1,000 snaps at the position during his collegiate career at both Florida State and Alabama.