As the Eagles prepare for a preseason contest against the Steelers, the tone has very much changed. The pads are off, the intensity is a little lower and the workload is less. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things worth noting. Here’s all you need to know.
Foles muscle spasm’s:
After battling elbow soreness during Training Camp one year ago, it appears as though the Super Bowl 52 MVP may be limited in preseason once again.
Foles’ injury is in his trap area. Said nothing to worry about.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 7, 2018
Pederson hasn’t yet ruled Foles out from playing in Thursday Night’s showdown with the Steelers, although it seems likely that Sudfeld and Callahan will split the quarterback reps. This isn’t something that should spark a sudden panic in the fanbase and Pederson has done a great job of managing the veterans and starters over the last few days. Preseason will indeed be a time for the underdogs.
Wentz progress:
As for the the other quarterback on the roster, you know, the one that threw 30 touchdowns and defied all laws of physics during his second season, he seems to be progressing quite nicely.
Wentz’s best pass so far in 7-7 a bullet over the middle to Greg Ward. #Eagles
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) August 7, 2018
Wentz only in 7 on 7 stuff but zipped TDS to Goedert and Perkins, who was on knees when made catch just over goal line, in red zone work #Eagles
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) August 7, 2018
Although this was a lighter practice and Wentz was still absent from 11-on-11’s, practices like today’s will go a long way in reaffirming Pederson that Wentz does not need a heavier workload than absolutely necessary this offseason.
Cornerback fire:
One cornerback lost in the mix due to such an intense positional battle has been Rasul Douglas. That hasn’t stopped the second-year ballhawk from stamping his authority down at the NovaCare Complex.
Rasul Douglas closes on a comeback to Bryce Treggs for the PBU. Right before contact, you hear an audible "Nope!" from Douglas
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) August 7, 2018
Josh Adams drops a pass in the flat with Rasul Douglas bearing down on him. Douglas taunts the rookie for being scared. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 7, 2018
Douglas isn’t going down without a fight it seems and who could blame him? It will be all to play for bu the time preseason rolls around.
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Back into the swing of things:
Corey Graham is back in the City of Brotherly Love, for one more season at least. It hasn’t taken the veteran Safety long to sink back into his groove either.
Corey Graham and Tre Sullivan combined to knock down Sudfeld’s jump ball pass to Richard Rodgers. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 7, 2018
Graham seems to have hit the ground running, which will be a breath of fresh air for Schwartz, knowing his Safety group is readier than ever to attack the new season, without the concern of a lack of starting talent.
Sid the kid:
The first real training camp for Sidney Jones has been an impressive one. So much so that even with the pads off, he’s still finding ways to stand out from the rest of the cornerback crowd.
Sidney Jones almost made a real nice leaping pick on a Joe Callahan pass. Couldn’t hold on. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 7, 2018
Jones will be very fun to watch on Thursday night and beyond, there’s no doubt about that.
Linebacker battle:
What was expected to be a red-hot battle at outside linebacker is rapidly becoming a very one-sided affair. The man dominating so far has been Kamu Grugier-Hill, although he has a contrasting skillset to Nate Gerry and provides plenty of special teams value which may lead to a rotational role.
The weak-side linebacker competition will be story to watch Thursday. Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nate Gerry both getting reps with the 1s. …Corey Nelson, not so much.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 7, 2018
The outside however has been Corey Nelson, who is yet to really do enough to make a huge impression. Perhaps preseason will change that.
The rise:
And finally, the battle against time is setting in for Josh Adams, who has been running like a man possessed recently.
Always have to add the caveat of “it’s a training camp practice” but Josh Adams has looked really good in camp the last week #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 7, 2018
This could be the spark needed after missing such a huge chunk of the offseason, but he will need some strong preseason running to ensure he makes it onto the practice squad and beyond.
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Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
