Broken finger leaves Hicks embarrassed, but shouldn’t be a big issue
PHILADELPHIA » What really happened to Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks on his honeymoon?
Sporting a cast protecting the broken fifth metacarpal in his right pinky, Hicks explained Friday that he broke a bone in the finger four days into the trip to the Greek island of Mykonos while walking by a pool.
“It was kind of uphill and I slipped and put my hand down to catch myself and it snapped,” Hicks said. “I had no pain, which is pretty crazy. I sent guys a video with me with this bone snapped in two. I had full movement. It was severe enough where they had to go in and fix it up.”
Looking at the pack of media surrounding him after the first full squad practice of training camp, Hicks smiled and said, “I wish I had a better story.”
Hicks has been the Eagles’ most prolific defensive playmaker the past two seasons as he’s recorded a team-best 11 takeaways, including a club-high five interceptions this past season.
Hicks was held out of practice in the 7 on 7s and 11 on 11s but did the individual drills Friday. The surgically embedded pin helping hold his pinky straight could come out, along with the cast, in about a week.
“It’s doing well,” Hicks said. “I feel strong, I have full range of motion and it’s not really inhibiting me in any way. I’m out here and able to do therapy. It could’ve been worse. It definitely could’ve been worse. This is probably the best case scenario, other than not getting hurt at all. It could’ve easily been my wrist. It could’ve easily been my elbow or shoulder, anything like that.”
*** Carson Wentz revealed Friday he was buds with Isaac Seumalo before the 2016 draft, both represented by the Rep 1 Sports agency.
That certainly didn’t hurt the Eagles going with Seumalo (6-4, 303) at left guard over Allen Barbre, who was traded to the Broncos for a conditional 2020 seventhround draft pick.
“I love the dude,” Wentz said. “He’s very soft spoken, very quiet but he brings kind of a nastiness that you wouldn’t necessarily expect because of how he is soft spoken. I think he’s got a lot of potential and a lot of ability at that left guard position.”
Pederson said the move away from Barbre, who started at guard and tackle, was best for the Eagles. The Eagles like young tackles Dillon Gordon and Hal Vaitai, and Seumalo also will “rotate in there at center.
“I think it’s important that he gets position versatility at guard and center,” Pederson said.
Left guard is the only position Seumalo wasn’t asked to learn by the Beavers.
“I didn’t play there in college,” Seumalo said. “But you learn quickly and I’ve been practicing a bunch so I feel comfortable at it now. Wherever they put me, that needs to be my best spot at that time because that’s what asked of me.” *** Defensive tackle Beau Allen (biceps) and rookie cornerback Sidney Jones (Achilles’ tendon) were the Eagles who didn’t practice Thursday.
*** With showers forecast Saturday, if you’re planning to attend the Eagles’ free and open practice at Lincoln Financial Field, first check in at 610-320-5160, the training camp hotline. A postponement or delay is possible.
The open workout is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with the gates opening at 8:30 a.m. Parking is free.
The Eagles had a practice Friday.
The Eagles begin their string 15-minute practices Friday. limited afternoon of 2-hour,