Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Spotlight on The Wiz as star of Birds’ blame game
PHILADELPHIA >> It looks like the Eagles are blaming the substandard play of their offensive line on Stefen Wisniewski.
While coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz have said the protection issues aren’t the fault of any one player, the action of replacing Wisniewski in the starting lineup speaks louder than those words. A team source confirmed Pederson has an offensive line change in store for Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field.
An NBCSports Philadelphia report stated Isaac Seumalo was getting firstteam practice snaps at left guard, where Wiz has started 18 straight games, including the playoffs. Pederson wouldn’t confirm or deny the report, but he did try to talk around it Friday.
“We’re constantly evaluating everybody,” Pederson said. “This week we’ve rotated some guys around. Isaac has played left guard, he’s played some center. Just giving guys an opportunity to see. We haven’t made any changes as of yet.”
After the Friday practice, Seumalo spurned a chance to set the record straight. Asked if he had a minute, he looked at an army of reporters and then walked away after replying, “Nope.”
Wisniewski was unavailable during the open locker room. A teammate grabbed a pair of sneakers from his locker and exited the room.
The left side of the offensive line has been an issue for the Eagles. But it appeared 36-year-old veteran Jason Peters was the culprit as he’s struggled at left tackle. Last week a Titans player tossed Peters across the field into Wentz, who took four sacks and was hit numerous times.
The Eagles injury news also is grim as defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder) and running back Darren Sproles (hamstring) are listed as out for the Vikings game. Barnett was hurt last week against the Titans. Sproles hasn’t played since the opener.
Barnett’s injury means more playing time for Michael Bennett and possibly the first snaps of the season for rookie Josh Sweat, the fourth-round pick out of Florida State. He’s been scratched every week.
Listed as questionable for the Eagles are running back Corey Clement (quadriceps), who sat out the Titans game, and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (calf). Treyvon Hester (6-2, 3-5) could make his Eagles debut Sunday.
Seumalo is better at the run than pass blocking, and he’s made a name for himself as a blocking tight end in short yardage. The Eagles could have an old school ground-and-pound component on offense this weekend with Jay Ajayi, Wendell Smallwood, Clement and rookie Josh Adams bringing the pound.
The Vikings are allowing 104.0 rushing yards and are nursing injuries on their front seven. ••• Listed out by the Vikings are defensive backs Trae Waynes (concussion) and Marcus Sherels (ribs), and defensive linemen Tashawn Browner (ankle) and Everson Griffin (not injury related).
Running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) is questionable for the Eagles. ••• Whether it’s a catch or a dropped pass, the Eagles and the Vikings have you covered Sunday.
Two of the top receivers in football hit the field in Adam Thielen, who ranks second in the league with 40 receptions for the Vikings, and Zach Ertz of the Eagles, who leads all tight ends with 31 grabs.
They’re also tied with Laquon Treadwill of the Vikings for the league lead with three dropped passes apiece. The Eagles and the Vikings have 10 drops each, tied with the Browns for the league lead. Eagles receivers Nelson Agholor and Josh Perkins have two drops each.
Thielen is one more 100yard receiving game from being just the third guy to start the season with five straight.
••• NOTES >> Carson Wentz owns a 13-2 career record at the Linc with a ninegame win streak, the longest home skein since Donovan McNabb won 12 in a row during the 2004 season. Wentz is 1-0 with two TDs and one interception at the Linc this year. Kirk Cousins is 2-2 in four career starts at the Linc, having averaged 332.3 pass yards with 12 TDs, three interceptions and just one fumble. Cousins tops the league in attempts and completions and is fourth in passing yardage. His 1,387 yards are most in the first four games of a season by a Vikings player . ... Todd Herremans, the 2005 fourth-round pick out of Saginaw Valley State, is slated to retire Sunday at halftime. Nearly 36, Herremans played right guard and tackle for the Eagles through the 2014 season. He’s the club’s only offensive lineman with two TD receptions, having caught a one-yard pass from Donovan McNabb and a twoyarder from Michael Vick. ... Jason Kelce has played in 61 consecutive games, second among active centers to Tennessee’s Ben Jones (100). … Thielen has played in 68 straight, fifth among wide receivers. Kyle Rudolph of the Vikings has played in 53 straight games, tops among tight ends.