The Eagles activated starting left tackle Jordan Mailata from injured reserve on Wednesday, per a team announcement.
Mailata injured his hamstring in Week 6, landing him on injured reserve and sidelining him for at least four games. The fifth-year tackle kept his absence to a minimum, returning to practice as soon as he was eligible after Week 10. Mailata’s activation puts him in line to start in the Eagles’ crucial Week 11 divisional matchup with the Commanders on Thursday night.
Mailata has been a crucial part of the Eagles’ offensive line since he earned a starting role in 2020. The 2018 seventh-round pick struggled with injuries in his first two NFL seasons, but has largely stayed healthy since. His ascendance from developmental former rugby player to star offensive tackle has resulted in two extensions from the Eagles totaling $130 million over seven years.
The 27-year-old Australian began the 2024 season with the same consistency he demonstrated over the previous three years, allowing just eight pressures and one sack across 185 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His absence, along with an injury to All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, has taken the Eagles’ normally-reliable offensive line to the bottom of the league. Their 27 sacks allowed are the 10th-most in the NFL, and their 10.2% sack rate is the third-highest.
Philadelphia has relied on Fred Johnson to play both tackle spots this season. However, the former Florida Gator has struggled in the first stretch of extended playing time in his career, allowing 32 pressures and seven sacks across his 193 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. With Mailata returning to the starting lineup opposing Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ offensive line will be at full-strength for the first time since Week 6.