Wentz to start drills, but status uncertain
Carson Wentz expects to participate in 11-on-11 drills next week, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be ready for the Eagles’ season opener.
Defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia hosts Atlanta on Sept. 6. Wentz’s goal since having surgery last December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee has been to be ready for that game.
“It’s no secret that it’s going to be close,” Wentz said after the Eagles completed training camp Tuesday.
“We’ve seen where I’m at in camp and hopefully next week I’m doing 11-on-11s. I think, naturally, it’s going to be close. Ultimately, it won’t be my call, the coach’s call. Ultimately, it’ll be up to the doctors.”
The Eagles are in no rush to have their franchise quarterback return too soon. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is Wentz’s backup and he’s ready to step in like he did in Week 14 last season.
Foles is supposed to make his preseason debut Thursday night at New England. Barkley just a spectator: Saquon Barkley stood and watched, for the most part, resting his strained left hamstring as the Giants practiced against the Lions.
Barkley, a running back drafted No. 2 overall, went through some drills slowly before going to the sideline to work on his strength and conditioning. The former Penn State star was in uniform, minus shoulder pads, with his healthy teammates in the first of three practices with the Lions.
On Monday, he caught a swing pass out of the backfield and was injured either stretching to make the catch or running down the sideline. It’s unclear whether Barkley will play Friday night in a preseason game at Detroit.
The Lions, meanwhile, had a key player walk off the field after being injured. Starting center Graham Glasgow appeared to hurt his left leg, leading him to leave practice. Briefly: Free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant is going to meet with the Browns on Thursday. The three-time Pro Bowler, released by the Cowboys in April after eight seasons, would certainly be a talent upgrade for a team coming off a 0-16 season. Cleveland needs receiving help, and receiver Jarvis Landry and quarterback Tyrod Taylor have lobbied for Bryant, who has 531 career receptions for 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns . ... Washington released veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick, who had signed a two-year deal in March after being cut by the Cowboys. ... First-round draft pick Roquan Smith ended his holdout with the Bears, reportedly agreeing to a four-year contract that guarantees the linebacker $18.5 million and includes an $11.5 million signing bonus.