The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Ajayi’s status for Sunday’s game still up in the air
New Birds RB comfortable with certain parts of the offense
PHILADELPHIA » Jay Ajayi says he’s comfy enough with the package of plays he’s been presented to play this weekend.
Three days of practices, however, do not an everydown back make.
Ajayi, acquired from the Dolphins for a fourthround pick, spoke about his early comfort level with the scheme after practice Friday.
“I feel like I’m comfortable with certain parts of the offense,” Ajayi said. “It just depends on the coaches’ plan for me Sunday.”
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson hasn’t committed to dressing, much less playing Ajayi, when the Eagles oppose the Broncos and their top-ranked defense Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
With a bye following the game, it may be prudent to let the other four backs take care of this game.
Ajayi is working off a menu of 10 to 15 plays in case the Eagles feel like throwing him out there.
“It’s very limited,” Pederson said of the play package. “It’s a taste of every aspect of the offense, first and second and third down. He’s done a nice job. He’s a smart guy. He comes from an offense that uses very similar terminology.”
Earlier in the week Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz sounded skeptical Ajayi could fit in seamlessly with just a few practices under his belt.
“We’ll see how fast he picks up on the offense and everything,” Wentz said. “Who knows exactly how that all will play out. We have our things to prepare for as well. I do know with the bye week next week that will be huge for him to kind of get caught up to speed as well.”
Broncos head coach Van Joseph knows what Ajayi can do, having spent last season as defensive coordinator of the Dolphins.
“Obviously he’s going to be in that offensive system with that terminology only for a short week,” Joseph said. “So if he’s in the football game I’m assuming it will be a limited menu for him. We won’t treat him any different than we treat the big guy, LeGarrette Blount. Those two guys we’re going to lump into the same game plan. Obviously they’ve got two or three different style of backs. I think the two big backs should be in very similar roles as far as what you’re game planning.”
The Broncos are second in the league in run defense, allowing an average of just 72.9 yards.
The Eagles lead the league giving up 70.4 yards per game.
••• Pederson said that tight end Zach Ertz was shut down in practice Thursday due to a tight hamstring.
Pederson still expects Ertz, the team’s leader in receptions and touchdowns, to play this weekend.
“We just backed him down,” Pederson explained. “We didn’t want to push him any further than that.”
Ertz was limited at the Friday practice according to the injury report. He’s listed as questionable for the Broncos, as is cornerback Ronald Darby, on the comeback trail from a dislocated ankle.
Pederson praised the comeback of Darby, who was hurt in the opener.
“He’s done a nice job this week,” Pederson said. “It will be probably a game time decision with him. As long as we don’t put a guy out there that can jeopardize it further, they’ll usually play. And it’s a big game for us this Sunday.”
Darby hasn’t been taking the first team reps, according to Pederson. That’s another indication the veteran could sit during the bye.
“When he comes back, you’d like for him to be your No. 1 guy taking all the reps,” Pederson said. “And right now it’s on a limited basis just to see where he is mentally and physically.”
••• On a lighter note, Pederson addressed the miked-up video in which he urged the offense to get their heads out of their you-know-what during a difficult early stretch in their blowout of the Niners last week. It was entertaining, to say the least. Not really flattering, though. You wouldn’t want to put it at the top of your coaching resume unless you were interviewing for a position with the longshoremen.
Pederson contends the video doesn’t conflict with being a players’ coach.
“It’s not being buddybuddy,” Pederson said. “A players’ coach is understanding the players, having been in the locker room. But at the same time, knowing what it takes to get the work done and the effort. I just felt at the time of that little rant that we weren’t performing up to our capabilities.”
••• The Eagles (7-1) put their six-game win streak on the line against the Broncos (3-4), who have lost three straight games.
The Eagles are 7 ½ point favorites.
The weather report is 63 degrees and dry Sunday.
••• Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders practiced fully Friday and is a game day decision away from returning the Broncos’ lineup for the first time in three weeks due to an ankle injury.
The deep threat is listed questionable along with inside linebacker Todd Davis (ankle) and guard Ron Leary (biceps).
Offensive tackle Donald Stephenson (calf) is listed out.
••• NOTES: Fletcher Cox was not fined for the hit that broke one of Joe Staley’s orbital bones per an NFL source … For the Broncos, it is quarterback Brock Osweiler’s starting job to lose, as you may have guessed. “Well guys, it’s a performance business,” Joseph said on a conference call. “So if Brock goes out there and plays well against the Eagles on Sunday, absolutely he plays again.” …