Tyler Steen's absence could allow a pair of Eagles teammates to make a statement

Something tells us that you're already aware of this. This isn't news, but the Philadelphia Eagles and NFC East rivals are never short of onlookers. The spotlight shines brighter when one throws in maniacal owners like Jerry Jones, a once-proud franchise that's being featured on HBO, and any news update involving four of the most popular teams in all of football.

July's final Wednesday played the backdrop for an Eagles walkthrough that was closed to the media. It also marked one full week since they entered their first training camp practice. Much can change in a week. That's true of life in general. It's also true about the NFL and the 32 teams that comprise its pair of conferences (and eight divisions).

Philly has had to juggle bodies and play musical chairs with their roster, especially along the offensive line. Starters Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson both missed at least one of the first five practices. Brett Toth has also missed time. Tyler Steen and Trevor Keegan have also gotten injured since camp started.

Keegan, after leaving a Monday morning practice, returned to work on Tuesday with his shoulder wrapped. Steen has been out longer. We learned he was injured after the session on Saturday. He hasn't been seen on the field since then. But, that might open the door for a couple of other guys.

Max Scharping: The longshot?

We've seen Max Scharping mixed into the lineup with the second and third teams at times. His path to the starting lineup seemingly would only come by way of a rash of injuries.

But, before we get there, he has to earn a spot on the roster. We can't guarantee that's even in the cards a few weeks from now.

We don't mean to be disrespectful. He's a baller, but this Eagles team is stocked. Still, with Keegan sidelined, he could earn a few more looks. Scharping has logged 2,125 offensive snaps during his career but only 43 over the two most recent NFL seasons.

Matt Hennessy: Suddenly forgotten?

Every time we dream up a 53-man roster projection, Matt Hennessy earns a spot half of the time. but make no mistake. We can also successfully argue him out of the lineup just as easily. Being able to play multiple positions helps his argument, and now with Steen sidelined for a while, he may see a few more snaps that he may not have seen otherwise.

Worth mentioning: This Trevor Keegan guy is pretty good, isn't he?

Trevor Keegan is another of the guys we add to the roster when we make guesses about final cuts. A First-Team All-Big Ten nod in 2022, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023. The NFL, as you know, is a long way from NCAA football.

Early indications are he's been impressive. Philly seems to have found something here, and Keegan is certain to see some snaps with Steen sidelined, especially during the preseason. Make no mistake about it. We'll all be watching closely.

Other random thoughts:

As camp began, Steen was getting most of the snaps at right guard with the first team. That's significant. Philly drafted him with hopes that he could eventually be good enough to crack the starting lineup, so the decision made sense, as long as he didn't struggle.

We also know that Jeff Stoutland likes to build chemistry between his starters and get them used to working together, so seeing Steen with the first team was also significant for that reason.

We have also heard Lane Johnson say, on occasion, that he likes to spend extended time working next to the guy he'll be lining up with, so here's our question. Will Steen be reinserted into the first team when he returns from injury or has Mekhi Becton already done enough to steal the starting role?

Don't look now, but another veteran with starting experience has also been added to the roster.

One more thing: Last in and first out for Nick Gates?

The Eagles announced Nick Gates' addition on Tuesday, July 30th. He's intriguing. He has played for two NFC East rivals, logging over 2,300 offensive snaps over the last five NFL seasons.

There's an old saying in business however. 'Last in... First out'. In other words, Gates is already behind the eight ball and having to stare up the depth chart at ten guys for certain (and possibly five others).

His presence is further evidence that Steen's ankle injury might keep him off the field for longer than we are thinking, but he's seemingly a depth addition, right? It seems he has no path to make the 53-man roster.