2 Eagles CBs return to face Dallas
Tannehill replacing Mariota at Tennessee; Barkley a full go
PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby were back at practice Wednesday, boosting Philadelphia’s secondary.
The team’s starting cornerbacks haven’t played together since Oct. 28. They could be on the field Sunday night when the Eagles (3-3) visit Dallas (3-3).
The Eagles are 13-5 when Mills and Darby both play.
Mills suffered a foot injury last October that sidelined him nearly one full year. Darby has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury after tearing his ACL last November.
The Eagles are also missing cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Cre’Von LeBlanc. Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones had a tough time in a 38-20 loss at Minnesota last Sunday, allowing four touchdown passes.
TITANS: Tennessee wants to jump-start an offense that has just one touchdown over the past 10 quarters, so they’re turning to veteran QB Ryan Tannehill and benching Marcus Mariota. At least for Sunday. “We’re trying to get a little spark, trying to evaluate what we’re doing and how we’re functioning as an offense,” coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday.
JETS: The next step in C.J. Mosley’s return will come on the practice field Thursday.
The Jets are planning to have the star linebacker participate in individual drills this week as he continues to recover from a groin injury that has sidelined him since the season opener. But whether he’ll be healthy enough to play Monday night against New England remains uncertain.
“I’m hopeful for (Thursday), that he’ll be able to do individual (drills) and just kind of see how it goes,” coach Adam Gase said at the team’s facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. “I think we’re just taking this minute-to-minute.”
BROWNS: Cleveland general manager John Dorsey said he’s had “a few conversations” lately with Washington Redskins President Bruce Allen and hinted one of the topics discussed has been a trade for star left tackle Trent Williams.
Dorsey was asked if Allen might trade his left tackle, meaning Williams. “It takes two to tango,” Dorsey said Wednesday as he left the podium.
Dorsey’s comment could be seen as a way of putting pressure on Allen to deal Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowler who isn’t playing while embroiled in a messy contract dispute with the Redskins. Williams also differed with the team’s medical staff on its handling of a growth on his head.
Last week, Allen insisted he has no plans of moving the disgruntled 31-year-old Williams.
“No,” he said. “Not at this time.”
BEARS: Chicago is cautiously optimistic quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will return this week from a left shoulder injury.
Trubisky said he’s “close” to 100 percent and hopes to start when Chicago hosts New Orleans Sunday.
GIANTS: Saquon Barkley was a full-go at practice Wednesday, increasing the likelihood he will play against Arizona on Sunday.
It will be the first time the running back has played since suffering a right high sprain Sept. 22.
STEELERS: Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that QB Mason Rudolph will return to the starting lineup after being cleared by an independent neurological consultant following a concussion he sustained against Baltimore on Oct. 6.
Rookie Devlin “Duck” Hodges filled in nicely for Rudolph during a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, but Tomlin didn’t hesitate when asked if Rudolph will play given the OK to return.
“(Rudolph) is our quarterback when he clears the protocol and it’s as simple as that,” Tomlin said. “Appreciate the efforts of ‘Duck’ and so forth, but as soon as (Rudolph) is ready to go, he’s ready to go.”