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Jason Kelce injury part of Eagles offensive line re-shuffling leading up to 49ers game

The Philadelphia Eagles lost center Jason Kelce to a sports hernia, and are doing some additional offensive line shuffling. Can the 49ers take advantage?

By David Fucillo

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Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

The Philadelphia Eagles come to town this Sunday to face the San Francisco 49ers, and they are already dealing with some issues. Center Jason Kelce suffered a sports hernia injury this past Sunday, and will miss 6-8 weeks following surgery. David Molk will replace Kelce at center, and it appears the line is going to undergo some other shuffling:

Matt Tobin suffered an ankle sprain during the preseason, but started practicing again last week. He is a second year guard, who signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent. It sounds like he had a strong preseason, and the team is hoping he can be the left guard the rest of the way.

Dennis Kelly was playing left guard in Tobin's absence, with Todd Herremans at right guard, and Andrew Gardner at right tackle. Gardner was in the lineup due to Lane Johnson's suspension. It would seem the Eagles are removing Gardner from the lineup, and shuffling that right side of the line.

The 49ers have struggled to get a consistent pass rush, although we did start to see it come with more blitzing. The 49ers did not blitz much the first two weeks, but unloaded in Week 3. They blitzed Stanton on 14 of 40 pass plays, rushing six players three times, and seven players twice. They also went to defensive back blitzes for the first time this year. Per Pro Football Focus, Jimmie Ward blitzed Stanton seven times, Perrish Cox had four, and L.J. McCray blitzed on his only snap.

Do the 49ers bring the house again to try and disrupt Nick Foles? Or do they play it safe, and hope to keep everything in front of them? The Eagles line would seem to be ripe for some pressure, but who knows what Vic Fangio will decide for this weekend. The 49ers Week 3 game plan means the Eagles have more they need to prepare for, but we'll see if that makes a difference.

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