Corner help? Eagles' McKelvin may return vs. Redskins
Eagles cornerback Leodis McKelvin returned to the practice field on Friday but whether he plays on Sunday against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field remains to be seen.
Eagles cornerback Leodis McKelvin returned to the practice field on Friday but whether he plays on Sunday against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field remains to be seen.
McKelvin, who missed the second and third games for the 3-1 Eagles with a hamstring injury and aggravated it during Sunday's 24-23 loss at Detroit, practiced for the first time this week on Friday.
He was a limited participant in practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
"I feel real good and ran real good today," McKelvin said. "It is one of those deals where you want to go out there and test it out."
At this point, the test is inconclusive. McKelvin said he wouldn't know for sure if he could play until Sunday morning.
"I will go out there on the grass, get there before the guys get there, work out and see if I can make a push for it," he said.
McKelvin, who played his first eight seasons in Buffalo before signing with the Eagles during the offseason as a free agent, would be a big help for the Eagles against a strong Washington passing attack.
He would be likely matched against former Eagles receiver and deep threat DeSean Jackson (18 catches, 278 yards, 1 TD).
If he were unable to play, McKelvin would be replaced by either Ron Brooks or rookie Jalen Mills. In the Eagles nickel, Brooks would play the slot and Mills the outside, meaning he and Jackson could be squaring off.
"When he gets the ball in his hand, he is a guy who can flat-out run, period," Mills said of Jackson.
McKelvin says his biggest worry is coming back too soon, because it's the type of injury that can linger.
"You have to take it day by day, watch it over very cautiously and make a decision when it comes Sunday," McKelvin said.
Conversely, tight end Jordan Reed (33 catches, 316 yards, 2 TDs), one of Washington's biggest receiving threats, is also questionable with a concussion.
Even if Reed doesn't play, Eagles safety Rodney McLeod says it won't alter the way they defend the Redskins.
"It is not going to be any different, game-plan wise," McLeod said. "Obviously Vernon Davis will be taking his spot and he is a very experienced tight end with good speed, so things will be no different."
Davis, a former two-time Pro Bowl selection, has 10 receptions for 94 yards.
Cox Ready
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said that defensive end Bryan Braman (shoulder) and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (ankle) were good to go for Sunday.
Cox is listed as questionable, but he was a full participant in practice.
Mathews misses practice
Running back Ryan Mathews missed Friday's practice and was sent home with an illness, according to Pederson. The first-year coach said he expects Mathews to play. Matthews wasn't listed on the injury report.
"It doesn't change anything in how the rest of us prepare," reserve running back Kenjon Barner said about Mathews' missed practice. "I know [Mathews] will be alright and good and ready to go Sunday."
Notable
Wide receiver Josh Doctson, the Redskins' first-round pick from TCU, is out with an Achilles injury. Others besides Reed who are questionable are linebacker-safety Su'a Cravens (concussion) and cornerbacks Bashaud breeland (ankle) and Dashaun Phillips (hamstring). . . . Pederson left no doubt about his commitment to right tackle Halapoulivaati "Big V" Vaitai, who will make his first start this week. The rookie from TCU is replacing Lane Johnson, who is suspended for the next 10 games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. "Fully committed. Fully committed," Pederson said. . . . Even in defeat the accolades keep coming for quarterback Carson Wentz, who was named the Pepsi NFL rookie of the week in a vote of fans. . . . Fletcher Cox was fined $9,115 for his unsportsmanlike penalty last week against Detroit.
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