More help is on the way for an Eagles team that has won five straight.
The Eagles announced on Wednesday that left tackle Jordan Mailata has been activated off of Injured Reserve, clearing the way for him to suit up for the NFC East battle against Washington.
The team opened the 21-day practice window for Mailata on Monday as Mailata has been out since Week 6 with a hamstring injury which forced him to go on IR.
"I'm feeling good. Just trusting in the daily targets that I'm setting every day just to try and prepare for this game," Mailata said on Tuesday after the team's walkthrough. "It's been a long time since I've been on the field, it feels like it has been. I'm pretty excited."
Mailata is Pro Football Focus' third-best graded offensive tackle this season, behind only Miami's Terron Armstead and Detroit's Penei Sewell. Mailata is the second-best pass protector and fourth-best run-blocking tackle, according to PFF's metrics.
Fred Johnson has been playing left tackle in Mailata's absence, helping the Eagles average 31.8 points per game since Week 7.
"Fred did an amazing job, I don't need to say anything. Fred is awesome, I love him to death. He stepped up and that's a credit to Fred and credit to Stout (Jeff Stoutland, run game coordinator/offensive line coach) for preparing him that way," Mailata said. "Well done to him. I was texting him money bags (the emojis) before the game, I was texting him money bags after the game. I was like, 'You're loading the bank right now.' I'm excited for Fred."
Although Mailata couldn't be out there on the field while he recovered from the injury, he stayed ready mentally to keep himself prepared as much as he could leading up to his return.
The first-year captain knew it would be a difficult process, but kept pushing forward.
"I was always going to the meetings. I was going to the installs making sure that I knew if there was any new terminology that I had to be in there, so eventually when I do get back, I could just slide right in," he said.
Mailata has been working hard and waiting to make his return. While the team has found success despite missing him, he wants to keep the train rolling.
"I just don't want to be the reason that we lose this game, because the streak is awesome," Mailata said. "I'm very eager, I'm an eager beaver. But I'm excited, again, if the opportunity comes this week, I'll be there."
– Written by Liam Wichser
