Caleb Sturgis suffers a concussion during pre-game warm-ups
PITTSBURGH – Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis suffered a concussion before Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers when a punt hit him in the head during pregame warm-ups. He was not wearing a helmet.
Sturgis missed the game, giving Cody Parkey all of the kicking duties.
Sturgis, who joined the Eagles after Parkey went on injured reserve last season, had been the top kicker throughout the summer. He was listed as the top kicker on the depth chart and would have been given the first opportunity to kick Thursday.
He will enter the league-mandated concussion protocol. The Eagles play next Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Parkey connected on a 40-yard field goal and an extra point in the first half. He also took three kickoffs.
Cornerback Aaron Grymes left the game with a shoulder injury and linebacker Joe Walker left with a knee injury. Grymes, who was playing with the second-string defense, made a nice first-half interception. Walker is the Eagles' top backup middle linebacker.
Smalwood, Shepherd out
Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood and cornerback JaCorey Shepherd missed their second straight preseason games Thursday even though they practiced this week.
Smallwood had a quadriceps injury and Shepherd had a hamstring injury. Coach Doug Pederson did not announce them as players who would be absent. Smallwood, a fifth-round pick, is missing valuable time in an effort to carve a role in the Eagles' backfield. Shepherd, who missed all of last season with a torn knee ligament, is trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
The other players who weren't in uniform were quarterback Carson Wentz (ribs), wide receiver Jordan Matthews (knee), linebacker Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), cornerback Jalen Mills (hamstring), defensive lineman Mike Martin (knee), and wide receiver Hunter Sharp (hamstring).
Wentz traveled with the team because Pederson wanted the rookie quarterback to attend meetings.
Green-Beckham plays
Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was in uniform and went through warm-ups with the team. He entered the game in the second half. The Eagles acquired Green-Beckham in a trade with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday. He wore No. 18, which was last worn in the preseason by Philadelphia native Rasheed Bailey and in the regular season by fellow St. Louis native Jeremy Maclin.
Extra points
Lane Johnson did not start at right tackle because of a looming 10-game suspension. Allen Barbre started at right tackle, and rookie Isaac Seumalo started at left guard… Nolan Carroll started at cornerback. Ron Brooks was with the first-team defense, but Brooks played in the slot on Thursday with Carroll starting on the outside.