We’re almost there.

Today was the last practice before Thursday night’s preseason opener against Pittsburgh. The Eagles did not wear full pads during today’s session.

Notes from gathered media:

Seems like we’re gonna get a lot of Nate Sudfeld on Thursday night.

Also:

Doug Pederson was up today in the media rotation:

  • (started by mentioning former GM Tom Heckert, who passed away Sunday night)
  • Nick Foles’ injury is not related to the elbow issue he had last year
  • Looking to get through Thursday’s game with no injuries, wants to see execution, got a lot of young guys fighting for roster spots, will be great for them to go out and perform well
  • RE: contract extension: I wish nobody brought it up, but honored and thankful to the organization for believing in him, excited to go to work every single day
  • helps to solidify plan with Howie Roseman being on the same contract length that he is, easier to prepare and plan
  • Joe Douglas has also been a big part of what this team has done. “The more people we can keep, would love to have everybody.”
  • have an opportunity on Thursday night to work out communication and game flow with Mike Groh and Press Taylor in new roles
  • sees confidence in training camp performances of Donnel Pumphrey and Shelton Gibson
  • still monitoring Carson Wentz’s progress.. RE: playing this week –  “if he’s not in practice, you can figure it out”
  • excited to work with Howie Roseman over the next few years, if we “stay in our lanes and do our jobs, good things will happen”
  • looking to get a game’s worth of snaps (65-70) for the starting group over the course of 4 preseason games, says scrimmaging vs. Miami last year changed the approach a bit
  • team was going to use pads today, but heat and proximity to preseason game made Pederson want to keep team fresh instead, says group has been working hard

Nick Foles:

  • says he’s day to day with muscle spasms in his shoulder/neck area, “nothing crazy, going to be fine”
  • has not ruled out playing Thursday night
  • thinks Dallas Goedert is having a great training camp, also mentioned Rashard Davis

Carson Wentz:

  • frustrating to not be in 11v11s, but just trusting what the doctors are saying, tough to sit there and watch but making the most of it
  • probably the same routine next week, keep talking with doctors and coaches
  • stoked for Pederson’s extension, he and Howie both deserve it, says Doug hasn’t changed at all since he first met him
  • velocity is similar to last year, feels really good mechanically, arm feels strong, doesn’t feel like he’s lost a step because of the knee
  • Nate Sudfeld is “solid,” sneaky athletic and can make some plays with his feet, plays a similar style to me and Nick Foles

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