Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and chief security officer Dom DiSandro Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

'Big Dom' is back for Philadelphia, but Eagles have bigger issues

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/12/24

Casual fans will tell you that Philadelphia went 1-5 to end the regular season, but sharp football minds know the Eagles went 1-5 without “Big Dom.”

For the first time since Week 13, Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro will be on the sidelines when the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a wild-card game on “Monday Night Football.”

Most remember DiSandro’s confrontation with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, but not as many realize that the incident took the long-tenured Eagles staffer off the sidelines for the rest of the regular season. It also cost him quite a bit of money.

Dre Greenlaw was called for a personal foul after this interaction with Eagles security staffer Dom DiSandro. Both were ejected from the game.

FOX pic.twitter.com/bRBFyg9BQz
— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2023

In addition to the six-week sideline ban, the NFL fined DiSandro $100K for his role in the scuffle. The team reportedly paid the fine, but Greenlaw was charged only $10,927 for the hit on wide receiver DeVonta Smith that started the ordeal. Greenlaw also was ejected from the game.

Afterward, the NFL later sent a memo to every team prohibiting non-player personnel from making physical contact, taunting or directing insults toward players or officials. The memo also said that only coaches and game officials are permitted to break up altercations.

The Eagles aim to break their two-game losing streak, but they’ll have a fight on their hands against the Buccaneers. Unlike Philadelphia, Tampa Bay has won five of its last six games, outscoring opponents 136-98 to win the NFC South.

“Big Dom” can’t do anything about that, and he can’t catch passes if A.J. Brown can’t play. Philadelphia’s leading receiver sat out of Thursday’s practice with a knee injury. Safeties Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown also missed practice, and quarterback Jalen Hurts remained limited with an injured finger.

So while Philly fans look forward to getting DiSandro back on the sidelines, they’d rather see their injured players back on the field.

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