Toe surgery may call it a 17-year career for Peters
Former Eagles Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters will sit out the rest of the season and will undergo toe surgery, according to head coach Doug Pederson.
The 38-year-old Peters, who has played 148 of his 213 career games with the Eagles, could be facing retirement after 17 seasons. His play declined dramatically this season, partly due to the injury.
“He’s literally battled through it,” Pederson said Friday. “He’s done everything he can for this football team. I appreciate Jason Peters a lot. He means a lot to me personally, not only on the field but off the field as well. He’s going to be missed. He wanted to be out there with his teammates for the remainder of the season. It’s just to the point now where the injury is a little bit too bad for him to continue.”
Nate Herbig takes over at at right guard for Peters when the Eagles oppose the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Herbig started the first eight games, playing right or left guard before losing his job. A hand injury didn’t help.
Amid a four-game skid and with four games remaining in what can only be a season with a losing record, the Eagles (3-81) need to evaluate some of their younger players. Rookie Jack Driscoll will start at right tackle, Jordan Mailata at left tackle.
Before looking ahead, Herbig took a moment to look back on the help he’s gotten from Peters.
“For me, it’s just every little thing he does,” Herbig said. “How he takes
care of his body, how he approaches the game, his film study, what he eats, how he works out. Just everything. At the end of the day he’s a Hall of Famer. I hope that I have half the career that he’s had.”
Pederson isn’t certain Peters will continue playing after this season, the coach indicating they haven’t spoken about it. The reality is the Eagles had to coax Peters out of retirement to play right guard this year. If there wasn’t a lot of outside interest in Peters then, how much could there be for a guy who turns 39 in January, coming off surgery?
The Eagles acquired Peters from the Buffalo Bills the week before the 2009 draft. The Eagles sent their first-round pick, the 28th overall that turned into Eric Wood, and a fourth-round choice the Bills used on Shawn Nelson. Wood started nine seasons at center, Nelson lasted just two seasons at tight end.
Peters was voted to nine Pro Bowls and twice was first-team All-Pro. He started all 148 games he suited up for with the Eagles, twice coming back from a torn Achilles’ tendon. The toughest part of Peters’ career was sitting out the Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots due to a knee injury. Halapoulivaati Vaitai played left tackle in that game.
Peters was the ultimate team guy in the locker room in both Philadelphia and Buffalo. To illustrate the selflessness, he didn’t secure the footballs after scoring touchdowns returning a blocked punt in 2004 and catching a oneyard pass from JP Losman in 2005, saying the celebration with his Bills teammates was enough.
Peters, nonetheless, was unhappy with management in Buffalo and requested a trade. The Eagles signed him to a big contract extension after the trade.
“I’m not going to say a relic but he’s somebody who has just been a staple in the game,” veteran defensive tackle Malik Jackson said. “One of the best left tackles in the game. Been doing it for a long time. Seventeen years, hell, that’s a lifetime. I hope it’s not his last time playing but if it is, man, it’s been an honor and a pleasure practicing with him, seeing his work habits, learning from him as far as what to do off the field. Somebody that’s been playing that long can teach you about money, girl situations, anything. He’s going to have insight for you. He’s a super cool guy. I hope it’s not his last time but if it is, man, it’s been a blessing.”
*** Elsewhere on the injury front, linebacker TJ Edwards, safety Rudy Ford and cornerback Michael Jacquet have been listed out for the Saints game.