This season was already set to be challenging with changes to the coaching staff, including the club parting ways with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. After a wobbly, injury-plagued start to the season, which saw Landon Dickerson land on IR early, Philly is playing backups across the line.
At one point on Sunday, after Tyler Steen suffered a shoulder injury, Mailata was the last Week 1 O-line starter standing. Two linemen, Willie Lampkin and Jake Majors, made their first-career starts; Markel Bell made his second-career start, and backup tackle Fred Johnson played out of position.
The Eagles had 22 rushing yards in their loss to the Jaguars, their fewest since Week 7, 2015, per NFL Research. Philadelphia snapped a 124-game streak with at least 40 rushing yards, the longest active streak in the NFL entering Week 5.
Part of those rushing issues can be tied to injuries to running backs, including Saquon Barkley, but the Eagles still need better blocking up front.
Given the circumstances, however, Mailata was proud of his linemates.
“The theme this week and during the week was to just keep riding the wave,” he said. “Wave of good, wave of bad, wave of perfect, wave of adversity and just keep surfing. All that means is just keep playing the next play. I thought they did a great job of that.”