The Philadelphia Eagles are anticipated to get some added protection ahead of the Wild Card finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Returning to action is someone not known for wearing a helmet and shoulder pads. However, he holds a critical role in protecting Eagles players. Dom “Big Dom” DiSandro is making his return to the Eagles’ sidelines, the same DiSandro who got embroiled in controversy back in December 2023.
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DiSandro earned a rare non-player suspension from the league after Week 13.
The reason? This heated confrontation between himself and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Both teams had exchanged back-and-forth trash talk after the 2022 season NFC title game to their rematch at Lincoln Financial Stadium. DiSandro was seen pulling off the 49ers defender from Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, but that provoked the Niners ‘backer who attempted to attack DiSandro with a closed fist.
Greenlaw ultimately got ejected. However, DiSandro was reprimanded as well.
DiSandro was given a temporary sideline ban after that controversial confrontation effective Dec. 16.
That meant from Weeks 14-18, DiSandro was not allowed to be on the field for any Eagles games. His actions prompted the league to send out a strict memo regarding all game-day staff members.
“Please ensure that all members of your game-day staff understand that their role does not extend to being involved with game-day altercations and that they must refrain from such involvement,” the memo states, which was obtained by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Following the #49ers–#Eagles sideline flap, the NFL sent this memo to clubs today: “Please ensure that all members of your game-day staff understand that their role does not extend to being involved with game day altercations and that they must refrain from such involvement.” pic.twitter.com/yJe0b8F6QB
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)
How Did the Eagles Fare With “Big Dom” on the Field?
DiSandro’s return presents a potential good omen for the reigning NFC champions ahead of their postseason return.
The Eagles were an astonishing 10-1 in games when DiSandro was on the sidelines helping protect the Philly players. But after the 49ers loss, Philadelphia witnessed a stunning tumble to end the regular season.
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Philadelphia was blown out by the eventual NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys the following week. Along came costly losses to the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants.
In the end, the DiSandro-less Eagles finished the season going 1-5 down the stretch.
With that skid, Philadelphia did more than lose ground on the top seed in the conference: they were knocked back to the fifth seed — and they ended up settling for the top available Wild Card spot.
But now, DiSandro’s suspension has officially been lifted. This scene was filmed by ESPN at Raymond James Stadium.
Security chief Dom DiSandro is back. #NFL #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Ab3sfG1kJl
— Bag Labs (@BagLabs)
There are Eagles fans who see this as a good thing for their team as they aim to return to their winning ways.
“He was their key to winning all along,” one fan account posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
This time, the Eagles are hoping he brings “good juju” on the sidelines, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!
