Sproles, Kendricks, Kelce Suit Up For Practice


Photo by Jeff Fusco.

Photo by Jeff Fusco.

Chip Kelly was asked to provide a health update at the start of his press conference Tuesday.

“They’re all back,” he said.

Well, almost. Darren Sproles (MCL), Mychal Kendricks (calf) and Jason Kelce (sports hernia) were all in uniform and participated in warm-ups at the start of practice. Chris Polk (hamstring) was out there as well. Evan Mathis has been cleared for a return but by rule is not able to practice until tomorrow. Brad Smith (abdomen) was the only player sidelined because of injury.

The Eagles were in shorts and helmets for Tuesday’s light practice. It is yet to be seen how much the returning players will be able to do this week as the level of training intensifies.

Kendricks has not practiced since suffering a calf strain against the Colts in Week 2. Sproles sprained  his MCL against New York just over a week ago. Kelly said he is unsure whether they’ll make a roster move at running back this week.

“They’ll run around here today and we’ll make some decisions,” said Kelly. “I haven’t seen them do anything since the Giants game. We were off all last week.”

Kelce is easing back into things after undergoing sports hernia surgery less than a month ago.

“He’s just coming off surgery. I hope he ties his shoes right, and we’ll put him in some individual drills and see what he can do,” he said. “I just said they’re all practicing. That doesn’t mean anything more than they are all practicing.”

Mathis said that Kelce is ahead of schedule and could be ready for the Houston game next Sunday. Does Kelly agree with that sentiment?

“I haven’t seen Jason Kelce do anything since he got operated on, so I can’t make any assumptions of where he is or where he isn’t,” said Kelly. “I know he’s been working extremely hard in the weight room, I know he’s been working hard with our trainers and doing things on the side. Maybe [Mathis] is a better doctor than our doctors are. I’m not being evasive, but no one knows. He hasn’t done anything.”