The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for their first preseason game, Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tuesday's morning practice was dialed back considerably by head coach Doug Pederson. The team did not practice in full pads as Pederson had originally planned, but rather just in shoulder pads and shorts due to the excessive heat. The head coach has been pleased thus far with the work his group has put in, so he felt comfortable cutting practice short 30 minutes early.
Tuesday's practice concluded the final workout with media availability prior to the game. Wednesday, the team will conclude with a mock game walk through in preparation for Thursday nights match up with the Steelers.
The following are some of the teams main news and notes as we head into preseason game number one:
Nick Foles
The reigning Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles missed practice the past three straight days due to muscle spasms in his neck/shoulder region of his throwing arm.
ESPN’s Eagles insider Tim McManus reports on the injury:
“It’s not a big deal,” Foles said after Tuesday’s session. “We’re just being smart.”
The team stresses that these muscle spasms are completely unrelated to his elbow injury from last years training camp and is nothing to be concerned about. Nonetheless, the Eagles have Foles listed as day-to-day, and it is a foregone conclusion that Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan will more than likely see the majority of the snaps under center in Thursday night's game.
Carson Wentz
The teams franchise quarterback did not take part in full-team drills again on Tuesday, marking this as the eighth straight practice in which he only did individual work and participated in 7-on-7 drills. Jeff McLane of Philly.com reports that Carson looked extremely sharp in these drills.
McLane writes:
“Wentz was working with mostly backups against the first unit defense. His knee hasn’t been cleared for contact, but his arm sure looks ready to go.”
Despite Carson’s success in the 7-on-7 drills, he's making it clear that he wants more. Per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank
“It’s frustrating,” he said after practice Tuesday. “Obviously, getting a chance to get out there and everything, I felt great, it was fun to be out there, but again just trusting what the doctors are saying.
“But without a doubt it’s tough to just sit there and watch. I did it last season and now getting your feet wet and going in and out, it’s not what I’d like. But I’m making the most of it.”
While Wentz will sit out Thursday’s game and he is not expected to see any live action in the preseason at all, the plan remains for him to be under center week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons on September 6th.
Zach Ertz
Ertz returned to practice on Tuesday after being held out of the previous three in a row for undisclosed reasons, the Eagles starting tight end is likely to be sidelined during Thursday’s game as well.
Status of Cornerback position battles
All reports suggest that Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills appear to have the starting outside cornerback spots locked down. Les Bowen of Philly.com reports that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is more than pleased with the play from these two.
“They’re both having outstanding camps,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Monday. “They’re making plays on the ball, they’re playing with confidence. Those are two important things for corners. I think that both of those guys really elevated their games.”
If these starting spots are already written in stone, this leaves the main competition in the secondary down to the battle for the slot corner spot between Sydney Jones and De’Vante Bausby. Keep your eyes on these two Thursday night, among many other second and third string guys battling it out for spots.
