Foles gets warm, but doesn’t get into preseason finale
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » Eagles veteran quarterback Nick Foles suited up for the preseason finale Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.
Foles even played long toss with teammates.
That was as close as Foles got to live action, though, as he joined a fully geared Carson Wentz on the Philly sideline.
If you’re keeping score, the guy who’s one play away from replacing Wentz hasn’t been part of a single play in the preseason.
Foles didn’t seem to throw with much authority. The big guy looked like he was laboring with that inflamed elbow. This is a guy headed for Injured Reserve, right?
“No, no, no, no, no,” Foles said. “I’m full speed now. I’ll just continue to strengthen and everything, but I’ll be good. I’m full-go right now. I know everyone is worried, but it’s the preseason. Everyone has anxiety. But we’re good, we’re fine.”
Matt McGloin started Thursday night in a 16-10 loss to the Jets. McGloin completed 14 of 21 attempts for 90 yards and a 75.5 passer rating.
Foles barely has practiced with the Eagles since very early in training camp because of what he described as a strained flexor in the elbow.
“It’s one of those things where you’ve got to do a lot of treatment and get it back,” Foles said. “It feels great now. I’ll continue to take precautions and be smart with it.
“I’m back and I’ll ready to go Week One.”
The Eagles gave Foles a two-year, $11 million contract with $7 million guaranteed. be
*** Eagles middle linebacker Joe Walker wiped out Jets starter Josh McCown on a blitz in the first quarter.
McCown exited with a right hand injury but returned after missing one play.
That set up a Penn State reunion at quarterback – McGloin versus Christian Hackenberg.
That’s also as exciting as the first half of the fourth preseason game became.
*** The Jets scratched Lucky Whitehead, Morris Claiborne, Matt Forte, Marcus Murphy, Eric Tomlinson and Jason Vander Laan.
*** Eagles rookie punter Cameron Johnston boomed a couple of eye-opening kicks in the first half.
In the first quarter, Johnston’s 50-yarder pinned the Jets at the 14-yard line. In the second quarter his 48-yarer made them start at the 13.
On the night, Johnston averaged 45.5 yards on eight punts, with a 42.9 net average. He dropped three inside the 20-yard line.
“It’s been fun to be in the building and learn from the guys in the group,” Johnston said in his Australian accent. “To learn from Donnie and Jon (Dorenbos), he’s gone know. That definitely helped my game a lot. My focus was just to better myself every time and learn as much as possible.”
Veteran Donnie Jones did not punt but he held for kicker Caleb Sturgis. Jones has heard the trade rumors.
“I feel good, I haven’t been told otherwise so I’m preparing to play against the Redskins,” Jones said of the Sept. 10 opener. “I feel good about the camp I’ve had, I feel good about the situation. Obviously they’ve got a few days to make a decision but I feel good about where I’m at.”
*** Eagles rookie sixthround defensive tackle Elijah Qualls split a sack and a tackle for loss in a very active first half. Qualls and Gabe Wright combined to drop Hackenberg.
The 321-pound Qualls came up big on a run play as he dropped running back Bilal Powell for a three-yard loss on second-and-7 for the Jets. Qualls made the play while getting blocked.
*** Linebacker Don Cherry (Villanova) had a tough time in the first half as he gave up a 12-yard touchdown reception to Austin Selverian-Jenkins.
The play was reviewed, Selverian-Jenkins making a diving catch while Cherry swatted at the ball. It gave the Jets a 10-3 lead.
Cherry bounced back with four tackles, one on special teams.
“I was trying to set the record for most yards run on the field,” Cherry said. “Covering a lot of punts, kicks, kick returns, punt returns, playing on defense, the whole nine yards. It was a great experience.
“Now you play the waiting game. You’ve done everything you can and play the you’re dealt.”
*** Eagles wide receiver Bryce Treggs caught a respectable three passes for 25 yards, having been targeted four times in the first half.
“Just put a win on film, that’s all you can do,” Treggs said when asked if he’d done enough to make the Birds. “It’s up to the coaches. Hopefully I’m still around and getting ready to beat Washington.”
Fellow wide receiver cards Marcus Johnson was targeted three times in the half but unable to come up with a reception. One of McGloin’s throws hit him in the hands.
Johnson rebounded with a 41-yard scoring grab from Dane Evans.
*** Eagles cornerback/ safety Jaylen Watkins exited in the third quarter with a foot injury.
Additionally pass rusher Alex McCalister injured his hamstring.