Eagles Notes: Eagles express appreciation for returning refs

When reports that the NFL was near an agreement with its locked-out officials started to leak out, Eagles safety Kurt Coleman tweeted in glee.

The news became official Thursday, and the Eagles will play Sunday night's game against the New York Giants with a regular crew. Never before have so many players had such an appreciation for officiating.

"It's good to have them back," Coleman said. "I think this game is going to be a lot better with them back and run a lot smoother."

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said games should not be determined by officials, but also said he did not think about them when he played.

Defensive end Trent Cole is sorry to see the replacement officials leave. He's been able to get away with more on the field. He expects calls to be "very different" and recognizes that plays that he sneaked past officials before no longer will work.

"There's going to be a lot of calls made," Cole said. "There's going to be a lot of correct calls made."

Jamar Chaney will start at weakside linebacker in place of Akeem Jordan against the Giants. Jordan suffered a hamstring injury Sunday and did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. Even though the Eagles said Chaney and Brian Rolle would split time in practice, Chaney will start.

"I'm looking forward to it," Chaney said. "It's kind of hard to sit back and watch when you're used to being out there, but it is what it is."

Chaney started 16 games last season, including 14 at middle linebacker. He lost his spot when the Eagles acquired DeMeco Ryans, and a preseason injury set Chaney back in the competition for the starting weakside spot.

Mat McBriar never seemed fully healthy during training camp and the preseason, when Chas Henry beat him for the punter job. But the Eagles believe that McBriar, a two-time Pro Bowler, is healthier and expect him to be more consistent than Henry, which is why they re-signed him Tuesday.

"I think looking down that long corridor of a season we thought we could get more consistency and kind of know exactly where we're at with each punt from McBriar," special-teams coordinator Bobby April said.

McBriar said his injured left (plant) foot has been healing after February surgery to have a cyst removed. He said his Monday physical was better than the one he took in July, and he has spent the last month punting in Dallas - eager for another opportunity.

Safety Colt Anderson (knee), long snapper Jon Dorenbos (ankle), tackle King Dunlap (hamstring), and Jordan did not practice Thursday. Fletcher Cox, who missed Wednesday's practice because of migraines, returned Thursday. April said he thinks Dorenbos will play Sunday.

Staff writer Jeff McLane contributed to this article.