Philadelphia Eagles On Track to Get Cam Jurgens, Bradley Roby Back vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Philadelphia Eagles lost two starters before their bye week and look to be getting two back after it

PHILADELPHIA - The 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles lost two starters coming into their bye week but things are trending toward getting two back for Monday night’s Super Bowl LVII rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.

Tight end Dallas Goedert (fractured forearm) and Mike linebacker Nakobe Dean (Lisfranc sprain) both underwent surgery in recent days and the latter was placed on injured reserve for the second time this season on Thursday.

The Eagles are still debating on whether to place Goedert on IR and will make that decision shortly. The move would mean the star tight end would have to miss at least four games and there is some hope he could return for Dec. 10 at the Dallas Cowboys after just three games.

Passing Goedert and Dean on the revolving door between the sideline and playing field are right guard Cam Jurgens and slot cornerback Bradley Roby.

Jurgens, who has missed the prior five games, remains on IR for now but the Eagles started his 21-day practice window before the bye week and the second-year player is eligible to return at any time. Roby, meanwhile, was never placed on IR due to a strained pec.

Both players worked with the first team in individual drills during Thursday’s practice. Jurgens took his spot next to both center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson in combo-blocking drills while Roby lined up inside on defense as Darius Slay and James Bradberry handled the outside cornerback roles.

“Pumped to go out there and practice, and hit some people,” Jurgens said before the session.

Roby, meanwhile, hit social media to proclaim he would return after the mid-season break and that is on track to be prophetic.

“It was good,” Roby said of the bye week. “I got an extra week of rest and getting [the pec] strong and everything like that.

“It was instrumental for me.”

The Eagles believe Bradley Roby will help settle down their issues in the slot :: John McMullen/Eagles Today

The Eagles have struggled but persevered without both.

Fourth-year pro Sua Opeta started the first four games in place of Jurgens but gave way to rookie Tyler Steen against Dallas after struggling against the Washington Commanders the week prior.

Jurgens should be an immediate upgrade after attacking his rehab both physically and mentally.

“I’ve had injuries before,” Jurgens said. “This isn’t nearly as bad as other things that I’ve had in my career. I’m not a stranger to the rehab process. It’s fine. Put your head down and work, stay involved with the team, with meetings, and being in the O-line room. And then get all my rehab done.”

Highly-regarded offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland handled the rest.

“Questions being like I’m in there playing,” Jurgens told SI.com’s Eagles Today on how Stoutland kept him engaged. “I think that’s something that’s good to keep me up so if I’m in a meeting and not slacking off.

“I gotta pay attention and listen to him.”

Eavesdropping from two lockers away, star left tackle Jordan Mailata confirmed Jurgens’ story.

“That’s true. He gets questioned more than the guys that are playing,” Mailata smiled. “[Stoutland] says “I can’t let you be collecting sea barnacles.’”

Defensive coordinator Sean Desai used a host of bodies in the three games Roby missed, leaning heavily on two rookies who were playing out of position: safety Sydney Brown and outside cornerback Eli Ricks.

Roby’s return, along with the further integration of trade pickup Kevin Byard at safety, should help settle down what has been the 28th-ranked pass defense in the NFL.

"I definitely think it should. That's the goal,” said Roby. “You gotta get better every week as the season goes on and I think it should. I think [the ranking] should go down and it's on us to make it happen.”

As for Goedert and Dean, they are set to be replaced by Jack Stoll and Nicholas Morrow respectively.

“As always we view it as next man,” Stoll said. “We’re going to do everything we can. Obviously, Dallas is a huge part of our offense, so when he goes down we have to find ways to make up for it, so collectively as a group we do all we can to make up for that.”