The Philadelphia Eagles' battle for the starting right guard position might be over. Something very noticeable happened before kickoff of the second preseason game occurred.
Tyler Steen was decked out in full gear and was ready to play a football game. Mekhi Becton wasn't. That spoke volumes and told us that a theory most of us had was correct. Becton has passed Steen on the offensive depth chart.
That doesn't mean the world has ended for the second-year offensive lineman. He'll make the team, but for now, his development has hit a snag.
Tyler Steen exits the Eagles vs Patriots preseason game with an injury.
When training camp began. Philly's coaches shuffled Mekhi Becton in and out of the lineup to fill in for injured guys. He spent the first training camp practice filling in for Landon Dickerson as the two-time Pro Bowler recovered from a toe laceration.
Tyler Steen took snaps as the starting right guard.
The following Saturday, during another practice session, Steen injured an ankle. That was all Becton needed, an opportunity.
There were twists and turns as we navigated the next few workouts. Becton even missed one as he dealt with an illness. Both returned, but it had become apparent that the Eagles' coaching staff was giving more of the first-team reps to Becton.
Fast forward to the present. Steen is dealing with another ankle injury.
Steen left Philly's Week 2 preseason game earlier than expected. After a trip to the medial tent, Philly announced that he wouldn't return.
We'll keep you updated of his progress and news as it occurs. Again, he'll make the 53-man roster. Philly hasn't lost faith in him, but it appears that he'll do so as a reserve.
Jeff Stoutland pounded the table to get Becton added to the roster, and it appears he likes what he sees. Becton has work to do in his development as well. So does everyone else on this Eagles team, but we have received what we wanted.
The six-foot-seven, 363-pound former 11th-overall selection has been re-energized as a student of Stoutland University. It appears he'll be around for a while.
