Todd Herremans is likely done for the season with a foot injury, according to CSN Philly.
If Herremans is unable to suit up again in 2012, that will put the Philadelphia Eagles at three offensive linemen on the injured reserve list and another one day-to-day.
Herremans sustained his injury in the Eagles’ 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Demetress Bell came in and played the rest of the game, and that was a major reason why Michael Vick was sacked a career-high seven times.
Herremans has been underwhelming for the majority of this season, which is not good news for a player that just signed a three-year contract extension through 2016. But he’s an eight-year veteran and he’s substantially better than Bell, who has been a colossal bust since the Eagles signed him as a free agent during the offseason.
Herremans will likely join All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters and starting center Jason Kelce on the injured reserve list. Starting right guard Danny Watkins has missed the last two games with a chronic ankle injury, which forced rookie offensive tackle Dennis Kelly into a role at right guard.
That means the Eagles’ line from left to right consists of King Dunlap, Evan Mathis, Dallas Reynolds, Kelly and Bell.
Mathis has been having a very solid season at left guard, and he had just signed a five-year deal this past offseason. He’s probably not as good as Pro Football Focus ranks him (the single best offensive lineman in the entire NFL). But Mathis hasn’t given up a sack this season, and he’s a strong run blocker.
Other than that though, the Eagles’ line is all but invisible. It’s amazing Vick was able to survive on Monday night, as he was pressured on what seemed to be every time he dropped back to pass.
The only other linemen the Eagles have on their roster are Nate Menkin and Matt Tennant, and it may be time to give one or both a shot. After all, Bell and Reynolds have been awful as fill-in players.
Menkin was signed off the practice squad of the Chicago Bears and Tennant was just added to the 53-man roster a week ago, replacing veteran Steve Vallos.
The Eagles (3-5) play the Dallas Cowboys next week, a team with ferocious pass-rushing linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who has the ability to pick up sacks in numbers against the Eagles.
It’s too soon to proclaim the Eagles’ season as over.
But the Herremans injury is just another hurdle the team will have to try to overcome.