Notes: Alonso, Huff Plan To Play In Finale
Kiko Alonso told reporters that the tendinitis Chip Kelly referenced is in fact in his surgically-repaired left knee. He added that it is common coming off an ACL injury, and that he expects to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Jets.
If he does in fact suit up, it will be Alonso’s first action of the preseason. The 25-year-old linebacker was held out after sustaining concussion early in camp, and was a late scratch last week against the Packers because his leg was bothering him.
With Alonso, Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans all limited at some point this offseason, the group has yet to take the field together in a game. Ryans, though, says he is not concerned.
“It’s not that big of a deal to me that we haven’t been in there together. We practice together every day so it’s not that big of a deal,” said Ryans, who added that he “will be a go” for the opener in Atlanta.
Josh Huff told the Daily News that he expects to play as well on Thursday. Huff missed last week’s game following the death of his god-brother.
Marcus Smith was hoping to be ready for Thursday, but it looks like he’ll sit out as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain. While he didn’t want to put a timetable on it, the second-year linebacker remains hopeful that he’ll be ready for the the opener.
“I pray and hope that it’s Week 1 but I can’t sit here and tell y’all what day exactly it’s going to be,” he said. “I think I’m definitely moving faster than expected and I think everything as far as rehabbing goes is going really well, so that’s a great thing for me.”
— The Eagles released Villanova running back Kevin Monangai Tuesday afternoon to get their roster down to 75 before the 4 p.m. deadline. They also officially waived Emmanuel Acho (thumb) with an injury settlement and placed JaCorey Shepherd (ACL) on IR. Kip Smith, who has taken over kicking duties while Cody Parkey nurses a groin injury, remains on the squad for now.
The roster must be trimmed to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday.