Getty Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception.
Rodney McLeod is going to be fine. One day after sitting out practice with a hamstring injury, the Eagles’ starting safety told reporters that he was dealing with a “mild hamstring” strain but he is in no danger of missing Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh.
It’s great news for a Philly team already down a starting safety after Jalen Mills was asked to slide over to cornerback, a transition he’ll likely make for a second straight week with Avonte Maddox (ankle) still out.
The other big name missing from Thursday’s practice was Alshon Jeffery, only this time he wasn’t listed with his ongoing foot injury. No, he was designated out with an illness. That doesn’t mean he has contracted COVID-19.
Meanwhile, three total Eagles players were limited on Thursday: WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), RT Lane Johnson (ankle), S Rodney McLeod (hamstring). Jackson is the only one to keep an eye on moving forward. He’s a likely game-time decision, per head coach Doug Pederson.
“Honestly, it’s just going to be something we’re going to have to monitor, I think with him,” Pederson said of Jackson. “He’s going to have to monitor it and just making sure that we’re giving him enough rest during the week to prepare for Sunday.”
The other five guys marked limited on Wednesday’s injury report were all full-go, including: WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf), DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related, rest), S Marcus Epps (rib), G Nate Herbig (groin), C Jason Kelce (hip). The Eagles are (relatively) healthy considering the circumstances.
Thursday Injury Report
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‘Confidence Level High’ in Jackson
Earlier this week, Pederson mentioned that his confidence level was high in Jackson despite him only playing in three games this season — and, basically, just four total since the Eagles brought him back last year.
It hasn’t exactly been the reunion most Eagles fans expected, but the organization remains committed to getting him out on the field.
“My confidence level is high. He knows how to practice; he knows how to play,” Pederson told reporters. “It’s a situation where he’s a speed guy and he has to make sure, and we have to make sure, that we’re giving him the proper amount of rest. He’s got to stay in the weight room, part of it can be in the weight room, part of it is getting treatment and then continuing to just slowly bring him along each week.”
K’Von Wallace or Marcus Epps at Safety?
Rookie K’Von Wallace and veteran Marcus Epps split the starting safety reps opposite McLeod last week. Don’t read too much into it, according to defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Playing time is based on packages.
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“I wouldn’t consider one the starter over the other in the game,” Schwartz said. “They were all just sort of starting in their own package and we sort of compartmentalized and spread the contribution around a little bit.”
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