PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce felt pretty good before the game against Washington two Sundays ago.
It turns out that's unusual. Kelce said Wednesday that he's been troubled by a sports hernia for pretty much his entire career.
During that game, the tissue tore completely, forcing Kelce to have surgery. He is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
"Typically, it's a six-to-eight week injury," Kelce said. "It feels great right now, so hopefully we can be on the earlier side of that. But it's been doing well."
Kelce is one of several linemen who have gone down with injuries. Left guard Evan Mathis has a sprained left knee and could be out a similar amount of time. Backup Allen Barbre is on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
The injuries have affected the Eagles' offense, especially the running game. But as Kelce was quick to point out, it isn't a simple cause-and-effect situation.
"I only missed one game now," Kelce said. "We really haven't run the ball effectively all season. So I think that there's a lot of reasons why we've been unsuccessful running the football. It really just comes down to everybody blocking a little better. I think it's really close. If you go back and watch the tape, they're one block away from being 15- to 20-yard carries in some instances. I think it's a lot closer than people are giving the line and the backs credit for."
Kelce said his replacement, David Molk, played well in San Francisco.
"I think Molk did a good job for his first start," Kelce said. "I was unhappy I wasn't out there, but I'm happy for a guy that's been clawing and trying to get out there. A very hard worker. I thought he went out and did a pretty solid job."
Kelce described his rehab as "very active." He walked a mile the day after his surgery. He has been out on the practice field at times this week, working with the athletic trainers.
"As of right now, we're just trying to get all the swelling and inflammation out of the area," Kelce said. "I could be jogging by the end of the week."