Jason Peters Willing to Play Right Tackle Next Week If Eagles Need Him

Since Jason Peters last played right tackle 13 years ago, he's put together a Hall of Fame resume on the left side of offensive lines.

But if Lane Johnson isn't back from his concussion next week, Peters is willing to go back to the right side of the line if the Eagles need him to.

"That's where I started at (in Buffalo)," Peters said. "It wouldn't be super foreign, but it's a possibility with Lane being out. I might have to just do it for the team."

Without Johnson in Sunday's 17-9 loss to the Seahawks, rookie Andre Dillard started in his place at right tackle, but lasted just one half. Dillard was benched to start the third quarter and was replaced by Halapoulivaati Vaitai. With Brandon Brooks out as well, that meant Matt Pryor and Vaitai were manning the right side of the line.

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The Eagles during the week didn't ever seriously consider playing Peters at right tackle because he's been playing on the left side for so long. Instead, they gave Dillard all those first-team reps in practice.

"I'm not sure what was going on (with Dillard)," Peters said. "I just know there was a change and there had to be something going on if there was a change. We just gotta look at that tape and he's gotta learn from it."

Peters, 37, hasn't played right tackle since the Week 6 of the 2006 season, when he was still with the Bills. He began that year on the right side and moved to the left side during the season.

If Peters were able to hold down the right tackle position, that would allow the Eagles to play Andre Dillard at his more natural position on the left side of the line, theoretically putting their five best players on the field.

Peters said it's something he'll bring up to Doug Pederson this week.

"Yeah. It's going to be a point of emphasis this week if Lane's not back," he said. "Whatever I can do to help out, I might have to do it this coming up week."

Peters has long been considered a leader in the Eagles' locker room and offering to switch from a position where he's had a Hall of Fame career to help the team is just the latest example.

So was his answer when asked about potential finger-pointing in the Eagles' locker room.

"It ain't going to be none of that, not in the locker room, not while I'm in there," he said. "Keep all the guys together, rally around and just go forward."

This could very well be Peters' last season in Philadelphia and the Eagles have a disappointing 5-6 record through five games. But the playoffs are still a possibility.

Thanks to the Cowboys' loss on Sunday night, the Eagles are one game back with five to go. 

"We gotta win out," Peters said. "No ifs, ands or buts, we gotta win out. And that's the bottom line. We gotta win out, point blank. We can't be saying, ‘if this happen…' We gotta win out. Point blank."

If it takes Peters leaving his post for another, so be it.

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