Blast it:

THE SIXERS ARE BACK! The season begins with the team that ended their playoff run last year, Boston. Tip-off is at 8 PM on TNT. But unlike the playoff Celtics, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are playing. Hayward will be on a minutes restriction.

Also unlike the playoffs, the Sixers will have a much improved Markelle Fultz with them. Matter of fact, he’ll be the starting shooting guard over JJ Redick. He looked pretty good in the preseason, starting all four games in that position, and also hit a three-pointer. Can he carry that into the regular season will be the big question.

Kevin will have a season preview later today, along with our picks for how the season will go. The expectations are high for a team that won over 50 games a year ago. I’m pretty damn excited for this season to start, and a win over the Celtics in Boston would send my overreaction into a big frenzy.

And with that, start your Tuesday off with a brand new episode of the Crossing Broadcast, which is a Sixers and NBA preview show.

The Roundup:

Don’t forget about the Eagles, who are getting ready for Sunday’s matchup with Carolina. The coordinators spoke yesterday, but offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland may have stolen headlines when he mentioned Jason Peters may not miss any time with torn biceps.

There are still plenty of guys banged up, including Timmy Jernigan and Chris Maragos, that are on IR. Jernigan and Maragos are eligible to return this week.

Injuries have forced the team’s hand in using defensive personnel in other positions. That’s “not ideal” for Jim Schwartz:

The Eagles used Douglas, who is more of an outside cornerback but has practiced at safety during the last two weeks, because of his experience in the defense. That was especially helpful given the team had limited time to prepare for the New York Giants game on a short week. They chose him over Deiondre’ Hall and Tre Sullivan, both of whom are safeties. They decided to move Maddox to the slot because of his background at the position instead of moving starting cornerbacks Jalen Mills or Ronald Darby inside.

With a full week to prepare, the Eagles have a few options they consider. The game plan is usually finalized on Tuesdays and the Eagles return to practice to prepare on Wednesday for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Jones is “week-to-week” with his injury, which in Doug Pederson parlance, means he’ll miss time. The Eagles also need to factor in the health status of Corey Graham, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury. Whenever Graham returns, he would be the best option for the nickel safety. But if Graham is out, the Eagles could try Hall or Sullivan in that role. They could continue with Douglas, too. It doesn’t sound like the Eagles will use Mills or Darby inside while keeping Maddox in place and playing Douglas as the outside cornerback.

“Because I like both of our corners,” secondary coach Cory Undlin said. “The less moving parts, the better. …Avonte had played so many snaps, close to as much as [Jones] had through OTAs and training camp, so that when [Jones] got hurt, there was no question. Avonte knew he was next. The players knew he was next.”

Are the Oakland Raiders the perfect trade partner for the Eagles?

Meanwhile in the division, are the Cowboys and Redskins good?

Finally, this is such a “Delco” tattoo.

The Flyers will return to action tonight against the Florida Panthers. Puck drop is at 7 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Oskar Lindblom will play tonight after crashing hard into the boards against Vegas on Saturday.

Tonight’s game might be overshadowed by…a Jake Voracek Chia Pet?

Voracek is meh on the whole promotion.

“I’m not going to have one at home, that’s for sure,” Voracek said. “I don’t think my girlfriend would appreciate that.”

Someone thinks the Phillies should be bold and NOT go after Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

In other sports news, Aaron Rodgers worked his magic again and beat the 49ers on Monday Night Football.

The Brewers shut out the Dodgers 4-0 in Game 3 of the NLCS to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is tonight at 9:09 PM on FS1.

Seahawks and Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen passed away from complications of non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 65.

Stay trashy, New England fans.

The new roughing the passer QB rules affected the Chiefs-Patriots game.

Rob Ellis and Harry Mayes were reunited on a podcast.

In the news, a driver said someone opened fire at a car on Roosevelt Boulevard.

The Saudis are reportedly going to admit that the Washington Post journalist was killed in their custody.