Isaac Seumalo May Start This Week

By Paul Bowman, Eagledelphia Managing Editor

Sources told NJ.com earlier today that Isaac Seumalo will start at left guard this week.

The report came in opposition to what Doug Pederson said when he met with the media. When asked about personnel changes, he said that the week had not brought any changes. Seumalo starting would directly contradict those comments, however Pederson did explain later that they are always evaluating everyone on the team.

Of course, either Pederson’s comments or the report about Seumalo could also be a ploy so that the Vikings defense isn’t sure what lineman they will be going up against. The truth may not be known until Sunday.

Stefen Wisniewski has started every game this season as well as every game last season at left guard. He was the most underappreciated member of the Eagles Super Bowl winning offensive line last season, but his play has not been nearly as elite this season. That said, neither Jason Peters nor Lane Johnson have played at the level that is expected of them, either, and poor play by the tackles puts more pressure on the guards.

A third round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Seumalo has appeared in 30 games for the Eagles, including all three playoff games last season. He started six of those games and has played at three different positions. He played 30% of offensive snaps in 2016, 25% in 2017 and 11% in the 2017 playoffs, but has only appeared in 4% of offensive snaps so far this season.

Seumalo looked to be a big part of the Eagles future last season before struggling mightily at center this preseason. Seumalo was a candidate to be cut with how he was playing, but the Eagles kept him on the roster and may now utilize him at guard where he has shown more potential.