With center Drew Kendall the Eagles’ latest O-line injury concern, Jake Majors might get the starting call
Majors could get his first NFL regular season start on what has been an incredibly eventful week for the Eagles' offensive line.
Back in September, around Week 1 or 2, long before Jake Majors was seen as any sort of candidate for a starting job, a few Eagles offensive linemen pulled him aside.
Majors, 24, had been in the organization for about a year, after the team signed him to the practice squad in 2025. The former Texas Longhorns center had stayed on the practice squad since then, and felt like things weren’t going his way on the scout team.
The veterans took note, and stepped in.
“Everybody just reminded me, ‘Dude you’re going against one of the best defenses in the NFL,’” Majors said. “‘Take that with a grain of salt.’”
It wasn’t the first pep talk Majors has gotten from his counterparts, and it probably won’t be the last. And now, he’s likely to put all that motivation to good use.
In yet another shakeup to an already upended offensive line, center Drew Kendall (knee) was not a participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Majors was in his place, with Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Willie Lampkin at left guard, Tyler Steen at right guard, and Markel Bell at right tackle.
If Kendall is unable to go Sunday, Thursday’s alignment suggests Majors will be starting. And if he does, Sunday’s game against the Jaguars in London will mark his regular season NFL debut.
This specific trench lineup was not on anyone’s bingo card; certainly not Majors, who went undrafted in 2025 before he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in late April of that year. But he says he’s been preparing each week as if he were playing on Sunday, and has kept his routines the same as they were at Texas.
He’s also been leaning on the expertise around him. And that expertise is significant.
When asked which veterans he’s leaned on, Majors rattled off names like Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson. Johnson retired Tuesday, Jurgens was traded Wednesday, and Dickerson will miss at least one more week while on injured reserve.
Majors has also gotten advice from Mailata, Steen, and Kendall, as well as another recently retired Eagle; a center who was undersized, just like Majors.
In early August, when Jason Kelce was helping out at practice, he spent a half hour working with Majors.
“That particular thing was just — what’s his mindset when it comes to jump sets, and just kind of picking his brain on what it means to be an offensive lineman in this system,” the 24-year-old center said. “For an organization like the Philadelphia Eagles. Just picking his brain.”
He added: “Be confident in who you are. And when you do jump sets — even if you are undersized, be confident in who you are. Because you’re here for a reason.”
There are worse rooms to learn from. And it hasn’t been an easy road for the Texas alumnus, who conceded that his transition from college ball to the NFL was “rocky” last year.
But he has a track record of durability (Majors played 58 games over his five years with the Longhorns). And no matter what happens on Sunday, or any Sundays after, he’ll try to keep listening and learning.
“The foundation we have in this O-Line room is special,” Majors said. “Because O-Line is a hard position. Don’t get me wrong. And to have people in your ear to instill confidence in you when sometimes it doesn’t seem like it’s going your way, it’s a blessing to have.”
Other injury updates
In addition to Kendall, running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring), wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle), safety Marcus Epps (groin), outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (ankle) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) also did not practice on Thursday.
Linebackers Zack Baun (concussion) and Jihaad Campbell (knee) were limited participants, as was tackle Fred Johnson (knee) and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (hamstring).
Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (knee) was a full participant in practice on Thursday, after being limited on Wednesday.
Different year, different offensive coordinator, yet still, it feels like Déjà vu all over again. The Eagles had little margin for error Sunday vs. the Rams because of injuries. They played hard despite being shorthanded, but in the end, couldn’t put the Rams away, mainly because of poor execution on offense. Why hasn’t Sean Mannion's scheme clicked? How culpable are head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts in the offensive rut the Eagles find themselves in? The Inquirer's Jeff McLane and David Murphy analyze the fallout from the 24-20 loss to L.A. Listen here.
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