Barbre returning, Carroll in protocol, Pederson sticks up for WRs
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Monday that left guard Allen Barbre will practice Wednesday, after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. He said that starting cornerback Nolan Carroll has entered the NFL concussion protocol, and that the team would see how the week goes before deciding if any adjustments need to be made in the secondary before the Seattle game.
Pederson also said the lack of production in Sunday's victory over Atlanta by wideouts other than slot receiver Jordan Matthews mostly had to do with Atlanta's defense, which was giving up underneath receptions to Matthews (six catches, 73 yards), tight end Zach Ertz (six catches, 55 yards) and running backs Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews, who combined for 10 catches for 87 yards. Plus, the Eagles' running game was the offensive focus, with a season-high 208 yards 0n 38 carries.
After Matthews, Nelson Agholor led Eagles wideouts with two catches for 7 yards, on 72 snaps. Neither Dorial Green-Beckham (44 snaps) nor Bryce Treggs (15 snaps) was ever targeted.
"The running game was just so big yesterday that we didn't have to throw the ball as much, like we've done in the past," Pederson said. "I've said all along that if we could keep Carson to 25 attempts, 30 attempts, it's a good day, usually." (Wentz was 25 for 36 for 231 yards).
"The design -- there were some matchups we had with Sproles on their linebackers, Ertz over the ball, some opportunities vs. man coverage with Jordan, and over the middle. Just some designed things that we had in the gameplan that were not necessarily a reflection on Nelson or any of the other guys. It was just a matter of the design, the contour of the play, and who was the primary on that play."