Mathis Preparing To Start At Center


Why not.

The look of the offensive line may change yet again this week, this time (drumroll) with Evan Mathis playing center.

Dallas Reynolds was sidelined at Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury. He hopes to be ready for Sunday night’s game in Dallas. If he’s not, Mathis could very well be the guy.

“I feel pretty comfortable there. Take a couple days of practice, a few more reps there, I’ll be more and more comfortable, acclimated,” said Mathis.

The eight-year veteran has never played center in a regular-season game. He played there during the preseason while in both Carolina and Cincinnati, and in a couple games early on in his college career at Alabama.

Mathis said that he would assume the same pre-snap responsibilities that Reynolds had.

“Mechanically, [center] is a little different than playing the other spots,” said Mathis. “It just takes a little getting used to.”

If Mathis does slide to center, Danny Watkins could get the call at left guard. From left to right, it could  go: King Dunlap, Watkins, Mathis, Jake Scott, Dennis Kelly.

Not exactly how they drew it up.

In other injury news: Fletcher Cox (tailbone), LeSean McCoy (concussion), Chris Polk (toe) and Michael Vick (concussion) all sat out practice Wednesday. McCoy and Vick are expected to miss Sunday’s game. Cox is hoping to play.

Jason Avant (hamstring) returned to practice.

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