Doug Pederson: No plans to bring John DeFilippo to the Eagles

John DeFilippo will not join the Eagles’ coaching staff this season.

DeFilippo, who was fired as Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator on Tuesday, spent 2016 and 2017 as the Eagles quarterbacks coach. He was influential in the game-planning and in Carson Wentz’s development. Doug Pederson is grateful for DeFilippo’s work, but he’s not looking to DeFilippo to help the Eagles’ struggling offense.

"What I’ll say is John did a great job for me,” Pederson said. “He helped us win a world championship and then he had an opportunity. I love my coaches. I’m confident in the guys we have. At this time, no.”

Pederson promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator and Press Taylor to quarterbacks coach after last season. He said he has not been in contact with DeFilippo since the news broke.

Although Carson Wentz’s back injury captured much of the attention on Wednesday, the Eagles’ injury report was lengthy other than Wentz.

The Eagles also missed defensive end Michael Bennett (foot), linebacker Jordan Hicks (calf), defensive tackle Tim Jernigan (back), tackle Lane Johnson (personal reasons), cornerback Sidney Jones (hamstring), and guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral).

Avonte Maddox (ankle, knee) was a limited participant in practice, which was a positive sign considering he missed the past three games.

The Eagles return to practice on Thursday.

Running back Corey Clement, who went on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury, likely won’t be available for the start of the offseason program in April. Pederson would not specify the nature of Clement’s injury, but it sounds like it will require months of recovery time.

Clement and defensive end Josh Sweat became the 11th and 12th players on injured reserve this season, including seven on defense.

“As far as starters go, you look around and it feels that way,” Pederson said of feeling snakebitten. “I give credit to the guys that are healthy right now, how they’re fighting and battling through. We are playing with some young guys, but they seem to be improving each week. It is a tough task but, hey, if it was easy I think anybody could do it and sign up for it and get it done.”

Practice-squad running back Donnel Pumphrey was visibly unhappy as he prepared to leave the locker room Wednesday. Teammates stopped by Pumphrey’s cubicle and huddled with him, offering encouragement.

“[Stuff] happens,” Pumphrey said, a day after the Eagles bypassed him and claimed New Orleans practice-squad running back Boston Scott to take the roster slot of Corey Clement, placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury Sunday at Dallas.

"Everything happens for a reason. Obviously, I'm not the guy. I'm not ready," Pumphrey said.

Pumphrey was a fourth-round draft pick in 2017 who spent the Super Bowl season on injured reserve with a hamstring problem. His 5-9, 176-pound frame seemed too slender -- in the NFL, shorter backs tend to have more squat, powerful builds. Pumphrey, 24, was cut by the Eagles this year, joined the Lions' practice squad, was cut from that, and rejoined the Eagles on Oct. 23.

Build might have been a factor in the team’s preference for Scott, who is listed at 5-6, 203. Scott was a sixth-round New Orleans draft choice this year.