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Kelly denies Inquirer report that he called McCoy

Chip Kelly denied an Inquirer report that he called LeSean McCoy, only to have the former Eagles running back hang up on him.

Chip Kelly denied an Inquirer report that he called LeSean McCoy, only to have the former Eagles running back hang up on him.

"No, I never called McCoy this week," Kelly said Sunday after the Eagles' 23-20 win over the Bills.

Two sources familiar with the call told The Inquirer that Kelly called McCoy on Tuesday. The number came up nameless on McCoy's cellphone, so he answered. When Kelly identified himself, McCoy hung up.

The Inquirer stands by its reporting.

McCoy has yet to talk to Kelly since he was traded to Buffalo in March. The Eagles coach attempted to call the running back after news broke prematurely that he was being shipped to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Kelly said last week that he would shake McCoy's hand if the opportunity presented itself. McCoy said he wouldn't "shake [expletive]." Kelly apologized on Thursday for how the trade was handled.

He also dealt with another off-field issue last week. Running back DeMarco Murray reportedly spoke to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie about his decreased role.

"A lot of it to me is tabloid journalism that they're just trying to [stir] things up, but it doesn't affect us," Kelly said. "We were playing the Buffalo Bills and a really well-coached team by Rex Ryan that has a lot of really good players.

"When people want to make up false stories about me calling people up during the week and them hanging up on me - people [are] trying to get Twitter hits or things like that and make themselves significant."

McCoy, who finished with 74 yards on 20 carries in a losing cause, did not interact with Kelly or most of his former teammates and coaches. He did embrace Lurie before the game. Just before the final gun, McCoy ran into the visiting team's tunnel.

He declined to answer questions after the game.

jmclane@phillynews.com

@Jeff_McLane