Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Eagles' injury-riddled offensive line will have to make do without another key member for an extended period, as head coach Chip Kelly announced Monday that center Jason Kelce will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia.
Kelce sustained the injury early in the second half of Philadelphia's 37-34 home win on Sunday. The team has yet to give a timetable for his return, though Philadelphia radio station WIP reported that the fourth-year pro could miss up to two months.
The Eagles are already without two other starting linemen in left guard Evan Mathis and right tackle Lane Johnson. Mathis, who sprained his left knee in the season opener, is currently on injured reserve/designated to return and won't be eligible to come back until at least mid-November. Johnson still has to serve one more game on a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Additionally, backup tackle Allen Barbre was placed on IR following Week 1 after incurring a high ankle sprain in the Eagles' win over Jacksonville on Sept. 7.
Kelly said David Molk will take over at center in Kelce's absence and make his first career start in this Sunday's game at San Francisco.
Kelce has started all 37 games he's appeared in since being selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. The 26-year-old suffered a season-ending torn ACL during Week 2 of the 2012 campaign, but returned to play in all 16 contests as well as Philadelphia's loss to New Orleans in the NFC Wild Card Round last season.
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