Backup QB eager for his chance to perform
PHILADELPHIA » It was awkward but Nate Sudfeld bit his lip, looked reporters in the eye and played the role the Eagles gave him Friday.
That was to pretend he didn’t know if he would make his NFL debut at quarterback Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, where, coincidentally, the Eagles practiced Friday.
“I would love to play some ball,” Sudfeld said. “But at the same time, it’s up to the coaches and whatever they say goes. I’m looking forward to the opportunity if it does come. But the coaches haven’t said anything.”
Oh, um, Sudfeld’s parents are coming to the game that has no meaning for anybody but the young guys who get a chance to play real minutes. Also attending is Sudfeld’s brother. Mom will be wearing the Sudfeld No. 7 jersey.
Speaking of possible debuts, the Eagles opened a roster spot by placing linebacker Joe Walker (neck) on injured reserve, potentially for rookie second-round draft pick Sidney Jones. Head coach Doug Pederson at least wouldn’t rule out activating and playing Jones, who’s been opening eyes in practices.
“We’re going to wait and see,” Pederson said. “As you know, the physicality of banging, of hitting and stuff is a little bit of a concern. But health-wise he’s doing well. There is still a chance and still a possibility. We’ve just got to get through today and tomorrow.”
Veteran Nick Foles will start at quarterback, but don’t look for him to hang around for much more than a cameo.
Pederson said he wants his starters to start, including guard Stefen Wisniewski, who’s nursing an ankle injury. Start is the operative word. They likely won’t finish the game unless the Eagles are hit with a rash of injuries or Pederson loses his mind. The team needs to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs, which begin in a couple of weeks for the Eagles.
Along those lines, defensive end Brandon Graham (ankle) has been listed as out for the Cowboys game.
Technically the Eagles (13-2) have some legacy stuff to play for. They could become the first squad in club history to reach 14 victories. They could become the first team to go 8-0 at home since the 1992 Eagles.
“It’s obviously something that this team, that’s a milestone for this team for 2017 to reach,” Pederson said. “They’d go down in the record books as being that, a great team in Eagles history, obviously, regular season. And then having the opportunity to be undefeated at home and things like that. Those are prideful things. Those are things we talk about.”
The Cowboys (8-7) have a winning season to play for. If head coach Jason Garrett loses this weekend, it will be the sixth time in the last eight years the Cowboys have a non-winning season.
The Cowboys want to get running back Ezekiel Elliott the 120 yards he needs for a second straight 1,000-yard season. Though the Eagles haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 straight games, they’ve been gashed in the run department in four of their last starts.
The big deal for the Eagles, again, is how the young guys like Sudfeld and Jones acquit themselves.
If, of course, Pederson puts them in the game.
“I’ve treated this whole year as if I’m ready to go,” Sudfeld said. “So, it’s really just been the same mindset. Every week I just go in with the mindset that I’m going to play. So, I don’t think anything changes.”