Eagles felt Peters’ absence

Wentz, taking it just easy enough on the quarterback to leave him upright as the play was blown dead.

Except for that passing flurry, the pocket wasn’t real clean and Johnson factored heavily in that. On the longest march for the first-team offense, Johnson was called for holding, although that wasn’t the reason Blount put the ball on the ground for the Bills. That no-huddle sequence ended a possession with four straight Wentz completions worth 39 yards, the longest to Blount, who rolled 17 yards with a throw over the middle.

Again, it wasn’t just the fault of Johnson. Left guard Isaac Seuamlo has had better days, too. The Eagles wouldn’t have been much better with Hal Vaitai in the lineup. He was scratched with a sprained knee.

Peters, who was grieving a death, has agreed to move inside to guard if the going gets too tough for his 35-year-old chassis. That would necessitate moving Johnson to left tackle. It would have been interesting to see that combination live.

The good news is it was only a preseason game.

And it’s safe to say that for now the Eagles don’t want to think about a future without Peters.

••• Among other Eagles who didn’t dress for the game were backup quarterback Nick Foles (elbow), wide receivers Bryce Treggs (hamstring) and Paul Turner (shoulder), running back Wendell Smallwood (hamstring), guard Josh Andrews (hand) and tight end Anthony Denham (hamstring).

Also sitting out the second game were cornerbacks Ron Brooks (knee) and Sydney Jones (Achilles’ tendon), and defensive tackle Beau Allen (pectoral).

•••

Wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who was dealt to the Bills for Ronald Darby, didn’t make the trip to Philly due to a chest injury.

We’ve been told it was a legit injury, not just a convenient issue so Matthews could avoid the mental strain of returning to the Linc, where he played three seasons.

The Bills also scratched starting left tackle Cordy Glenn, safety Bacarri Rambo and wide receiver Jeremy Butler.

••• Chris Long gave support to Malcolm Jenkins during the Birds’ safety’s usual pregame protest of the National Anthem. As Jenkins raised his fist, Long put his arm around his teammate.

“It’s Malcolm’s thing,” Long said. “It’s all our thing to get involved in really. But as far as his version of the protest, this week it was a tough week for somebody being from where I’m from.”

Long played at the University of Virginia, close to the conflict in Charlottesville.

“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s not about the people of Charlottesville. I was inspired by a lot of the allies that were there to stand up against hate in my hometown. And I wasn’t able to be there to protest or to stand up against hate.

“People like Heather Heyer gave their life for that and I was inspired by that. I just told Malcolm, ‘I’m here for you.’ I think it’s a good time for people that look like me to be there for people that are fighting for equality.”

••• For the second consecutive preseason game, Caleb Sturgis missed a field goal, a 45-yard attempt in the first quarter.

He did connect from 24 and 48 yards. He is 3-for-5 on field goals in the preseason.

Concerns?

“None whatsoever,” Doug Pederson said. “I have a lot of confidence in him going forward.”

••• Carson Wentz played four series, completing six of nine passes for 56 yards and did not lead a touchdown drive. However, he has no concerns about the Birds’ first-string offense.

“No,” he said. “Was the performance great? By no means. It’s definitely not where we want to be. But I know we have the right guys and the right scheme. We just have to prove it.”

Eagles rookie running back Corey Clement of Glassboro, N.J., thundered into the end zone from six yards out to cap an eightplay, 67-yard drive giving the Eagles a 13-3 lead over the Bills with 47 ticks left in first half … Newly acquired cornerback Ronald Darby intercepted a Tyrod Taylor pass and rolled 48 yards to set up a 48-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal giving the Eagles a 6-3 lead in the first half. Sturgis also kicked a 24-yarder … Wide receiver Marcus Johnson returned to action and caught a 38yard pass from Matt McGloin in the second quarter … Linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who asked the Eagles for a trade, intercepted a pass, notched a tackle for loss and recorded a sack in the first half. Kendricks also factored in Darby’s interception as he pressured Taylor outside the pocket. It was the second preseason pick for Kendricks, who is replaced on passing downs … There was a classy moment of silence in the press box for the late Henry Clay, the long-time radio news reporter and Jimmy Gallagher, who worked for the Eagles for almost five decades, including a role as head of public relations. Henry and Jimmy, the best of the best.