With early-season injuries piling up, the Philadelphia Eagles opted to cancel practice on Wednesday and instead held a walkthrough.
Wednesday is typically a major practice day for an NFL team so the decision was unique but one coach Doug Pederson felt was necessary.
“Number one, with the guys that are a little nicked up who have a chance to play in this football game, I want them to get the rep in practice. Normally we go a padded day,” Pederson told reporters. “And then, two, we have some young guys who might have to play, and they’re also servicing the defense or the offense (on the scout team), and so this way it allows everybody to still practice and maintain their focus and get our work done that we need to get done today.”
Among the injured Eagles are receivers DeSean Jackson (abdominal strain) and Alshon Jeffery (calf), tight end Dallas Goedert (calf), running back Corey Clement (shoulder) and defensive tackles Malik Jackson (foot) and Tim Jernigan (foot).
Tight end Zach Ertz is dealing with tender ribs after taking a shot in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Pederson said Jernigan will join Jackson in missing Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
“Well, we know Tim’s going to be a little bit longer,” Pederson said. “The other guys are day-to-day, more day-to-day. They’re doing well and we’ll have an update at the end of the week.”
