Eagles' forgotten veteran earns promotion amid Landon Dickerson injury

He’s the guy who’s been here longer than some of the suites at the Linc, the ultimate NFL survivor.

Not the star quarterback. But the guy clinging to the roster’s edge, year after year. More like a baseball utility infielder. Always ready, rarely starting. But somehow indispensable. In Philadelphia, that man wears number 64.

Brett Toth’s Eagles tenure began when Doug Pederson roamed the sidelines and Alshon Jeffery caught passes. Six seasons, eight releases, and countless practice squad stints later, he’s still here. While stars rise and fall, Toth endures.

And now that patience is about to meet opportunity.

Toth has suddenly found himself snapping the ball next to All-Pro tackle Jordan Mailata. Injuries to Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson (knee) and backup Kenyon Green (shoulder) has thrust the 28-year-old Army product into the first-team left guard spot.

It’s a stunning promotion for a player with just two career starts in 20 games. "Do what they tell me to do, be an asset in the locker room, the meeting room," Toth said about his role. "I'm sure you all have seen it over seven years. As a backup, you don't really get set at one position. You just kind of work at the position that's available, whatever they tell you to do." Indeed!

His value, honed under legendary line coach Jeff Stoutland, is finally being tested when it counts.

Stoutland’s endorsement speaks volumes. "I don't know what they taught him in the Army but he's a bad man," Stoutland declared, praising Toth's "violent hands." But this isn’t charity. Stoutland doesn’t keep players around for nostalgia.

Toth embodies the Eagles' offensive line culture. Versatile, tough, and mentally sharp. He’s soaked up knowledge from Jason Kelce, Jason Peters, and Lane Johnson for years. Now, the apprenticeship faces its most significant test. Can the perennial backup hold the fort?

Depth Tested Before Dallas

The timing is critical. With Dickerson likely sidelined until the Week 1 opener against Dallas, the Eagles' vaunted O-line depth faces immediate scrutiny. Toth, taking first-team reps Tuesday, signaled their initial trust.

Consequently, Darian Kinnard shifted to second-team left guard, disrupting earlier camp rotations. Philadelphia boasts arguably the league's best starting five. However, Green’s continued struggles and now his shoulder issue leave a concerning void behind them. And Toth’s promotion isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a necessary gamble.

Toth understands the standard he must meet. "Being here for so long is when that’s your standard, I'm very hard on myself," he admitted. "Anytime I'm in there filling in... it's being able to perform to that standard to where Jordan (Mailata)’s comfortable. He's not having to change his game at all."

His focus is seamless integration, not standing out. This selflessness defines his career. He’s sacrificed potential playing time elsewhere for a chance to be part of Philadelphia’s special environment. "When you see greatness... you just can’t let go of it," Toth stated, reflecting on the Eagles' O-line legacy.

Financially, his perseverance earned about $3.5 million. Emotionally, the cost involved wrestling with plenty of "what if?" scenarios. "I'm sure down the road, I’ll have that question of, ‘What if? Should I have done this, made more money somewhere else?’" Toth mused. But witnessing the Eagles' success up close provided its own reward.

"At the end of the day, I got to witness an unbelievable run that a lot of people have never been able to see," he said. "I’m grateful to be a part of it." Now, gratitude meets genuine responsibility.

His journey is uniquely American. Undrafted from a run-heavy academy, serving his country, then grinding through football’s margins. Opportunity rarely knocks loudly for players like Toth. It often just cracks the door. Dickerson and Green’s misfortunes swung that door wide open for a few crucial weeks.

Can the ultimate practice squad soldier translate seven years of learning into starting-caliber play when the lights are brightest? Philadelphia hopes Stoutland’s "bad man" is ready for his close-up. Sometimes, the long shot just needs a shot.