Report: Nick Foles to start Week 1
PHILADELPHIA » Nick Foles gets the start in the Eagles’ opener against the Atlanta Falcons, if the NFL Network is right.
The entity reported that Foles gets the nod because Carson Wentz isn’t all the way back from his knee injury.
Earlier this weekend Wentz’s surgeon, Dr. James Bradley, told NBC Philadelphia that “It should be a cautious approach” with Wentz’s comeback.
Eagles vice president of football operations Howie Roseman will address the media Saturday after the Eagles announce their cuts.
*** Rugby import Jordan Mailata, linebacker Joe Walker and tight end Josh Perkins all earned spots on the Eagles’ 53-man roster.
The mildly surprising cuts were wide receiver Markus Wheaton and defensive end Steven Means. One or possibly both veterans could return on a week-to-week basis if they cannot find fulltime employment.
Here’s how the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles roster
shapes up:
Quarterbacks (3)
Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld.
The only suspense here is Foles starts the Sept. 6 opener, according to a report. Foles had a sack and turnover filled preseason. CUT » Christian Hackenberg, Joe Callahan.
Running backs (4)
Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles added a big back. CUT » Josh Adams, Donnell Pumphrey, Matt Jones.
Tight ends (4)
Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, Josh Perkins.
Rodgers apparently isn’t all the way back from his knee injury, thus the Birds went heavy here. CUT » Billy Brown, Gannon Sinclair (waived-injured), Anthony Denham.
Wide receivers (6)
Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Mike Wallace, Shelton Gibson, DeAndre Carter.
Markus Wheaton is the mildly surprising cut. His hamstring still isn’t 100 percent. We could see him back on a week-to-week contract. Wilson (Radnor) is a practice squad candidate. CUT » Wheaton, Wilson, Rashard Davis, Bryce Treggs, Greg Ward.
Offensive line (10)
Jason Peters, Stefen Wisniewski, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Isaac Seumalo, Chance Warmack, Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata.
The Eagles kept Pryor and Mailata, the rugby star. Guessing they couldn’t trade Warmack. CUT » Toby Weathersby (waived-injured), Jon Toth, Aaron Evans, Darrell Greene, Taylor Hart.
Defensive tackles (4)
Fletcher Cox, Haloti Ngata, Destiny Vaeao, Bruce Hector.
Hector outplayed Vaeao. Tim Jernigan (back surgery) starts the season on the reserve-non-football injury list. CUT » Elijah Qualls, Winston Craig, Aziz Shittu.
Defensive ends (5)
Chris Long, Brandon Graham, Michael Bennett, Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat.
Bennett, Long and Graham can play inside. Steven Means could be back after the opener. CUT » Danny Ezechukwu, Joe Ostman.
Linebackers (5)
Jordan Hicks, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, LaRoy Reynolds, Joe Walker.
Still a fluid situation here as Nigel Bradham sits out the opener due to a suspension. Walker and Reynolds are on the bubble. CUT » Kyle Wilson, Asantay Brown, Jaboree Williams.
Cornerbacks (5)
Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox. CUT » De’Vaunte Bausby, Chandon Sullivan, D.J. Killings (waived-injured).
Safeties (4)
Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Tre Sullivan.
Chris Maragos (knee) begins the season on reserve-PUP, when he returns, Sullivan could be in trouble. CUT » Jeremy Reaves, Ironhead Gallon.
Kicker (1)
Jake Elliott.
Punter (1)
Cameron Johnston.
Long snapper (1)
Ricky Lovato.