Andre Dillard is back to action after spending more than a month on Injured Reserve. The Eagles activated the fourth-year left tackle to the active roster for the first time this regular season, just in time for Sunday's showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
To make room for Dillard on the active roster, the Eagles placed defensive end Janarius Robinson on Injured Reserve. Robinson was added to the injury report on Friday with an ankle injury. The Eagles also elevated safety Andre Chachere from the practice squad for Sunday night's game, and placed tackle Jarrid Williams on Practice Squad Injured Reserve.
Dillard has been on Injured Reserve since September 6th; he fractured his forearm during preparations for the team's season opener against Detroit.
His return fortifies an offensive line that has faced multiple injuries over the past two games. Starting left tackle Jordan Mailata suffered a shoulder injury during the wet win against the Jaguars in Week 4, leaving him sidelined against the Cardinals, and center Jason Kelce has been playing through an ankle injury. Though both are expected to play on Sunday, the addition of Dillard to the line adds depth to a position group that has a very physical game against the Cowboys' dominant pass rush ahead.
"I've been hungry for it for a long time. I've been working my tail off every day, trying to get back, get healthy, stay strong, in shape," Dillard said.
"I had a good couple weeks of practice now, so I'm ready for whatever they've got for me."
During the 2021 campaign, Dillard played in 340 offensive snaps and started a career-high five games, contributing to an offensive line that helped the team lead the league in rushing offense, rushing touchdowns, and explosive plays.
He became an Eagle during the 2019 NFL draft when the team traded up to take him 22nd overall. He quickly earned a role, seeing time in all 16 games as a rookie, but the following year, he suffered a bicep injury that sidelined him for the entire season.
Dillard will take over his role as backup left tackle behind Jordan Mailata on Sunday. The spot had since been held by third-year tackle/guard Jack Driscoll, who stepped up as a starter in Mailata's absence last week against the Cardinals.
For Chachere, this is the third and final time that the Eagles can elevate Chachere from the practice squad. Chachere has played 30 snaps in the past two games, all on special teams.
Robinson is a second-year defensive end out of Florida State, who was signed off the Vikings' practice squad on September 13. He was not active for any of the four games he was on the active roster.
Williams was originally signed by the Eagles as a rookie free agent out of Miami following the 2022 NFL Draft.
