Birds, Pederson are pushing themselves hard for now
Pederson pushes back schedule on Monday, but he’ll keep foot on the pedal Monday night for Eagles
PHILADELPHIA » Trent Cole came in to the NFL as an Eagle, and will go out that way.
The Eagles announced the veteran pass rusher officially will retire with them before their game with the Oakland Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field, where he amassed a chunk of his 88½ sacks. Only the late Reggie White had more sacks.
Cole, 35, hasn’t played since the 2016 season, his last with the Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles took the Cincinnati product off the board with a fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft.
Cole played for the Eagles through 2014. He produced four seasons with 10 or more sacks, reaching 12 ½ sacks twice, most recently in 2009. He ranks second in club history in double-figures sacks seasons and third with 20 multiple-sacks games.
Cole was named to Pro Bowls following the 2007 and 2009 seasons. He will be the Eagles’ honorary captain Monday night. He’ll be recognized during a break in the first quarter.
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Jordan Hicks shed his cane and walking cast two days ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right Achilles’ tendon.
Hicks suffered the injury two snaps into the Eagles’ Monday night victory over the Redskins Oct. 23.
Hicks said Saturday he’s put the disappointment of sitting out the bulk of this Eagles season behind him. The playmaking linebacker believes that over time the tough moments of his career will balance out.
Elsewhere on the injured reserve front, veteran left tackle Jason Peters, who was injured in that same game in which Hicks went down, sure looks like he’s almost all the way back from the torn ACL and MCL.
The normally staid and serious Peters even has developed a sense of humor, saying with a broad smile seen for the first time in several years that he would do interviews Sunday. That’s a day with no media access.
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The Eagles will list linebacker Mychal Kendricks (foot), guard Stefen Wisniewski (ankle) and cornerback Jalen Mills (ankle) as questionable for the Raiders.
Cornerback Patrick Robinson, coming off a concussion, has been cleared to play.
“Jalen is doing fine,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “The added rest or extra rest this week has really helped him. Wiz continues to get better. He’s practiced in a little bit of a limited fashion.
But again, he’s another one that’s coming along.”
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With Christmas falling on a game day, Pederson is allowing his players family time before the game.
“I pushed the schedule back just a little bit,” Pederson said. “We don’t play, obviously, (until 8:30). I think it’s important. Listen, you don’t get these times back. It’s too important to me, my family. I want to make sure these players with young kids, coaches with young kids, they get a chance to spend Christmas morning together.”
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NOTES » Injured quarterback Carson Wentz will be at the Linc Monday, although not on the sideline as he’s still on crutches, according to Pederson . ... Among other stats presented by Remarkable, Inside Edge: Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has had 29 balls dropped this season, tied for third in the NFL. Also, Eagles running back Jay Ajayi has rushed for one TD on 194 carries this season, the worst ratio in the league. Ajayi also has broken 20 tackles, tied for fourth-most. Additionally, Birds running back LeGarrette Blount leads the league with (get this) rushes of 10 or more yards on 15 of his 87 carries (17 percent) on first down this season. The league average is 9.6 percent. Blount, however, is averaging an NFL-worst 2.0 yards from scrimmage per touch on third down this season (17 for 34).