Rookie Jones to make debut for Eagles
Defensive back finally healed from torn achilles’ tendon
PHILADELPHIA » No one on the Eagles knows Sidney Jones, who was activated Saturday, better than Elijah Qualls.
Teammates at the University of Washington, the California connection were like brothers, with Qualls the protector, the guy Jones leaned on long before he tore his Achilles’ tendon at their March pro day.
Qualls says it’s a matter of when, not if Jones becomes an elite NFL cornerback. Jones was widely considered a top 15 draft choice before tearing the tendon, which dropped him into the second round.
“I’m not going to try to put pressure on him and I’m not going to try to tell everybody that he’s going to be Richard Sherman or Patrick Peterson,” Qualls said. “Yet. I don’t know if it’s going to be sooner, or later but he will be one of the best corners in the NFL. He works hard, he’s smart, he has great instincts, he’s athletic and he just wants it.”
The Eagles believe this is the right time to get a look at Jones (5-11 1/2, 186), who clocked a 4.47 at the scouting combine and showed wide receiver-type ball skills during the drills.
The decision to activate Jones likely means he will get his feet wet when the Eagles oppose the Dallas Cowboys in the regular season finale Sunday (1 p.m., Fox, WIP 94.1-FM) at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles (13-2) can establish a single-season record with a win over the Cowboys (8-7), who are trying to avoid their sixth nonwinning season in the last eight years.
The Cowboys want to get running back Ezekiel Elliott the 120 yards he needs for a second straight 1,000-yard sea-
son. The Eagles haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 straight games, though they’ve been gashed for 100 or more rushing yards in four of their last six starts.
That’s about it for the suspense. The Eagles have clinched the top seed in the NFC, and with it a playoff bye and homefield throughout the postseason. They’ll play starters before working in the backups, including quarterback Nate Sudfeld and Jones.
Qualls, a defensive tackle who used to be a running back, grew close to Jones, when the latter arrived at Washington as a freshman. Qualls appreciated the playmaking ability of Jones so much that on those occasions he came off the field for the Huskies, he kept his eye on the defensive back. Something was bound to happen.
Jones registered nine interceptions at Washington, fourth on a list topped by Pro Bowl corner Marcus Peters (Chiefs) and two others, since the 1996 season.
Jones picked off three passes, defended nine passes and forced two fumbles in 14 starts as a junior.
“When you meet him you just know there’s something special about him, on and
off the field,” Qualls said. “I can’t wait to see what he does. I know he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder.”
Qualls, a rookie sixthround pick, and several other Eagles backups figure to get playing time against the Cowboys.
“I’ve definitely been doing a lot of scout team and being ready at any moment to go and get in the game,” said Qualls, who has two tackles in five appearances with the Eagles. “Knowing that I’ve got a good chance to get some playing time this week, I’m excited about it and I’m ready. Being able to finish the season playing against the Cowboys at home, I mean, you couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
The same can be said of Jones who, after a long rehab from the Achilles’ tendon tear, has a chance to get back on the field.
••• Nick Foles starts at quarterback for the Eagles after winning both of his starts in place of the injured Carson Wentz.
Those victories give Foles a 17-9 record with the Eagles with a franchise-best 65.4 percent winning percentage (minimum 25 starts). Donovan McNabb is next on the list with a record of 92-49-1 (65.1).
••• NOTES: Despite temperatures hovering around 8 degrees, Eagles rookie receiver Mack Hollins is riding his bicycle to and from the game. “Nothing changes,” Hollins said. … Zach Ertz leads the Eagles in receptions and receiving yards for the second straight season. He could become the first Philly tight end to lead the squad in receiving yards in consecutive seasons since Charle Young (1974-75), per STATS LLC. … Eagles veteran Alshon Jeffery is tied for fourth in the league with nine TD receptions … John Parry is the referee Sunday. It will be interesting to see how closely the California resident calls the game that has little meaning for anyone.