Doug Pederson is gonna start Lane Johnson until he’s told he can’t. Philly.com:

“Until I get further word from the league office, he goes in as my starting right tackle,” Pederson said. “So I just decided to keep him out of this game to [not] risk any injury.” Halapoulivaati Vaitai started in Johnson’s place Thursday. “It is tough,” Pederson said of the waiting game. “You would like to know one or the other. . . . But I’m not going to let that bother our football team.”

The offensive line chemistry banks on Johnson being able to suit up. PhillyMag:

Jason Kelce recently described how it’s difficult to execute combo-blocks with other linemen when they have little experience with each other, which is what the Eagles will likely experience as Brandon Brooks settles in at right guard and Seumalo or Wisniewski takes over at some point in the season at left guard. “It is tough. It is tough,” Pederson said. “You would like to know one way or the other, whether or not you get the exemption spot and things like that. It could be difficult. It could be a little challenging. But you know, I’m not going to let that bother our football team. I’m not going to let that bother us and we’re going to get ready for Cleveland.”

Players made their final push for the roster last night. Philly.com:

It’s almost always wrong to think that one final preseason game, played against some other team’s subs, will seriously affect an evaluation process that began in May. But there we were Thursday night, oohing over Paul Turner’s 71-yard punt return for a touchdown, tsk-tsking JaCorey Shepherd’s inability to cover former Temple star Robby Anderson on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Petty. The Eagles were playing the Jets, ultimately winning, 14-6, and, while the preseason finale might be the most futile exercise in football, it was the only game we had to watch. Turner came into the game as the Eagles’ leading preseason receiver, with 11 catches for 99 yards. He added six catches for 66 yards, in addition to the punt return, on which he found a crease and zipped right up the middle, past everyone. “My opinion, I’m just never satisfied,” Turner told Comcast SportsNet, when asked whether he thought he’d done enough to secure a job. “I feel like I did OK, but I feel like there was more that I could have done, and there’s a lot more that I want to continue to do.”

Paul Turner made his case. Philly.com:

Unless the Eagles’ front office and coaching staff simply has no appreciation for the principles of hard work they preach day in and day out, Turner will make the 2016 roster. He finished the preseason with 17 receptions for 165 yards. If versatility is one of the difference-makers for one of the final roster spots, Turner’s punt return showed he has value on special teams. If the final preseason game is truly about borderline players showing that they deserve a spot on the team, how can the Eagles deny Turner what his performance has earned?

Ed Reynolds made his mark as well. Philly.com:


The Eagles built their lead in the second half when Reynolds stepped in front of a Hackenberg pass for an interception that he returned 90 yards for a score. But Reynolds’ path to the team must come through special teams, so the interception return is not the only play to consider when he’s evaluated. “I definitely wanted to go out and make a statement somehow,” Reynolds said. The same is true for almost every player who needed to play Thursday. The game was their chance for a final audition, and now there’s nothing left for them to do. For players such as Turner and Means, it might have been enough to stay employed. They will all find out before 4 p.m. Saturday.

Steven Means has done all he can do. CSN:

In four preseason games, Means had two sacks, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a pass defensed and was a constant force on the line, creating havoc for the last month. When asked if there’s anything more he could have done this preseason, Means mentioned there were a few plays in which he should have gotten his hands up to deflect a pass instead of going for a hit. But really, that’s just nitpicking. Means has done everything he possibly could to earn a roster spot. “I’ll tell you what, he’s a kid that’s improved every single day,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “I think he’s a hard worker. He comes to practice every day, he’s ready to work. He’s had a great camp. He finished tonight well, and again he’s one of those decisions that makes it tough on us as coaches. He’s a solid player, a good young player for us, and again it’s gonna come down to the evaluation process the next couple of days and just see how it shakes out.”

Roob is still high on DGB. CSN:

I saw what I wanted from Dorial Green-Beckham in the Eagles’ 14-6 win over the Jets Thursday night at the the Linc. He played only a few snaps but he caught both passes Chase Daniel threw his way, one for 15 yards, another for 16 yards, and looked comfortable doing it. Man, I’m trying not to get too excited about this kid, and I keep telling myself, “There must be a reason the Titans got rid of a 23-year-old receiver with tremendous size and speed that they drafted early in the second round.” But so far, the change of scenery seems to be working for DGB. I see no reason he won’t be the Eagles’ second-best receiver this year. I guess the Titans really love Dennis Kelly.

While Marcus Smith and Eric Rowe fight for their spot among undrafted players. Philly.com:

ON their draft pedigree, you would think defensive end Marcus Smith and cornerback Eric Rowe would have little to worry about when the Eagles make their final cuts this weekend. Smith, after all, was the Eagles’ first-round pick only two years ago. Rowe was taken in the second round last year. But pedigree doesn’t mean a whole lot when the guy who drafted you now works 3,000 miles away. Both Smith and Rowe find themselves on the roster bubble as head coach Doug Pederson and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman try to decide on their best season-opening 53 players.