It had been a long time, Evan Mathis admitted, and as much as he knew what to expect on Monday night as he played for the first time since the season-opening win against Jacksonville, it was something special to start at left guard against Carolina.
Mathis was injured in that opener and then went on Injured Reserve/Designated to Return for eight weeks. He missed seven games rehabbing his knee injury before he was able to step back on the field for the prime-time game against the Panthers.
An Eagles offensive line that started all 17 games in 2013 hasn't been together once this season, but the offense is making it work. And on Monday night, the Eagles went with Jason Peters at left tackle, Mathis at left guard, Jason Kelce at center, Matt Tobin at right guard (in place of the injured Todd Herremans) and Lane Johnson at right tackle.
A 45-21 win had everyone feeling very, very good.
"It was great to be back," Mathis said. "I was waiting for this moment for a very long time. I've really missed it. You get a newfound feeling, kind of like an 'absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder' feeling. It's tough sitting on the sidelines."
Mathis was able to practice for three weeks before playing on Monday, so he had no problems getting back into game-shape and playing at the tempo the Eagles demand. His presence is an important one down the stretch as the Eagles have two Pro Bowl players on the left side of their line, a center in Kelce who is playing at that level, and a couple of young, talented players on the right side.
"We're going to get better and better the more we play together," Mathis said. "We go on the road next (in Green Bay) and that will be a real test. I'm looking forward to taking that next step."
The Eagles hosted the Carolina Panthers in a Monday Night Football matchup ...
WR Jordan Matthews diving accross the goal line for the TOUCHDOWN
Eagles fans showing up early for some Monday Night Football
Members from all branches of United States service join the Eagles in the #EaglesSalute game opening ceremonies
Jeffrey Lurie joins fans for some tailgating outside Lincoln Financial Field
Jeffrey Lurie signing a fan's tailgate trailer
Eagles fans welcoming Jeffrey Lurie to their tailgate with big smiles
Jeffrey Lurie and a fan posing for a selfie
A group of happy fans hanging out with Jeffrey Lurie
C/G Julian Vandervelde preparing for the game
K Cody Parkey getting in some practice kicks before kickoff
LB Bryan Braman making a special teams tackle on the opening kick off
DE Cedric Thornton grabs the ball to gain possession for the Eagles
QB Mark Sanchez in his first start for the Philadelphia Eagles
K Cody Parkey hits a 39 yard field goal to put the Eagles up 3-0
United States servicemen lead the Philadelphia Eagles on the field for #EaglesSalute
SWOOP follows closely behind the servicemen being honored at the game as they run onto the field
LB Mychal Kendricks lines up with his sights on the Panthers QB
QB Mark Sanchez escapes a sack to complete a pass
RB Darren Sproles carries for the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders make some noise for the team
A die-hard Eagles fan sports his green face for the team
Teammates celebrate with CB Cary Williams after he makes an interception
QB Mark Sanchez and G Evan Mathis work the field on an offensive drive
Eagles players stand side-by-side with current United States servicemen, holding the full field flag during the National Anthem
QB Mark Sanchez looks for RB Darren Sproles as he makes a run upfield
RB Darren Sproles celebrates a touchdown for the Eagles
TE Zach Ertz congratulates RD Darren Sproles on a touchdown play
CB Cary Williams surrounded by his teammates
G/T Matt Tobin makes contact with a Panthers lineman
RB Darren Sproles solutes in honor of #EaglesSalute
TEs Brent Celek and Zach Ertz join RB Darren Sproles in celebration
LB Connor Barwin and DT Bennie Logan work together to take down a Panthers player
CB Brandon Boykin in the mix with the team
WR Jordan Matthews carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown
QB Mark Sanchez congratulating WR Jordan Matthews on his touchdown
LB Casey Matthews takes down a Panthers player
RB Darren Sproles cuts past a Panthers defenseman
An Eagles Cheerleader pumps up the crowd
LB Connor Barwin goes airborne to sack the Panthers QB
LB Connor Barwin celebrating with the crowd
WR Jordan Matthews gaining yards for the Eagles
An Eagles Cheerleader psyching up the fans in the stands
RB LeSean McCoy breaking free for a run
P Donnie Jones punting for the Eagles
LB Brandon Graham grabbing a Panthers player to take him down
Another carry by RB Darren Sproles
WR Jordan Matthews on the move for the Eagles
LB Trent Cole catches the leg of the Panthers QB to break up a play
LB Trent Cole with a QB sack
RB Darren Sproles crossing the line for a touchdown
Eagles President Don Smolenski on the sidelines
Eagles celebrating another touchdown
TE Brent Celek takes control of the ball
The Eagles defense pounces on a Panthers player
The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders perform for the stadium
SWOOP dons camouflage gear for #EaglesSalute
Eagles fans supporting the team
An Eagles fan showing his support of #EaglesSalute with a camouflage baseball cap
On the sidelines Eagles fans celebrate a big lead over the Panthers
LB Mychal Kendricks dances after a QB sack
LB Mychal Kendricks celebrates a stop
Another sack from the Eagles defense
TE Zach Ertz blocks for WR Jordan Matthews on an offensive drive
S Chris Prosinski keeping an eye on a Panthers player
CB Bradley Fletcher intercepts the ball and runs it in for a touchdown
LB Connor Barwin with a QB sack
LB Connor Barwin flying high after a sack
S Nate Allen leaps into the air for an interception
The United States Marines showcase their rifle skills at halftime
CB Bradley Fletcher celebrating his touchdown
Fly Eagles Fly!
Servicemen hold the full field flag for the National Anthem
Flares go off above Lincoln Financial Field during the National Anthem
Fireworks erupt marking the start of the game
An Eagles banner flies across Lincoln Financial Field
CB Bradley Fletcher celebrates his touchdown
LB Trent Cole going in for a QB sack
LB Mychal Kendricks charges the Panthers QB
LB Mychal Kendricks in celebratory dance
CB Bradley Fletcher with the ball
CB Bradley Fletcher running an intercepted ball
CB Bradley Fletcher celebrating his touchdown
S Malcolm Jenkins and LB Emmanuel Acho take down a Panthers player
The Eagles on defense
The Panthers QB running from the defense
LB Connor Barwin celebrating after a sack
LBs Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham congratulate each other
Eagles fans cheering with excitement
DE Cedric Thornton getting ready to make a big play
WR Jordan Matthews taking the ball down field
LB Trent Cole running down the line of scrimmageÂ
DE Fletcher Cox reaching in and disturbing the Panthers' QBÂ
LB Connor Barwin with another sack!
LB Connor Barwin had 3.5 sacks on the night
S Nate Allen making a late first half interception
DE Vinny Curry getting pressure on the quarterback
TE Brent Celek throwing out the stiff arm
TE Brent Celek busting through tackles
WR Jordan Matthews rocking the #EaglesSalute gloves
WR Riley Cooper slipping down after making an athletic catch
WR Jeremy Maclin running after the catch
RB LeSean McCoy breaking through tackles
QB Mark Sanchez making a pass
