Birds’ McLeod to return to lineup
PHILADELPHIA » Rodney McLeod couldn’t make plays last Sunday for the Eagles, so he encouraged his teammates to do just that against the Giants.
Sidelined with a strained hamstring, the veteran safety was out of uniform for the first time in an NFL career into its 83rd game. He felt sorely out of place.
“It was tough,” McLeod said after practice Thursday. “I’ve never missed a game in my career. My emotions were running.”
Chris Maragos started in place of McLeod, who tested the hamstring in pre-game. When it was clear McLeod was limited, he shut it down and does when he’s not in the games, showing his passion verbally.
“I was screaming my butt off,” is the way McLeod described it, “telling them everything that I could see.”
That and a 61-yard walkoff field goal by rookie Jake Elliott helped the Eagles to a 27-24 win over the Giants
Barring a setback, McLeod returns to action this week when the Eagles oppose Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers at Carson, Calif.
McLeod has been a fullgo at practice this week. He also has experience against Rivers, having played against him in 2014 with the Rams, recovering a fumble.
“I feel good, I’m looking forward to Sunday,” McLeod said. “Looking at the Chargers, they’re more of a vertical passing team than the Giants. We have to make sure your eyes are in the right place and we stay over the top. There will be plays to be made.”
Rivers has thrown four touchdown passes and four interceptions for the Chargers, who are 0-3.
Keenan Allen leads the Chargers with 19 receptions, including a touchdown. Travis Benjamin, 37-year-old tight end Antonio Gates and leading rusher Melvin Gordon have the other TD grabs.
The Chargers led the league last year in games lost by seven or fewer points. There were eight of them. Two of the team’s three losses this season are by three points or less.
Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, the offensive coordinator three years ago with the Chargers, knows Rivers well.
“I mean, Philip is an elite,” Reich said. “In my mind he is an elite quarterback in this league. He’s proven it over a lot of seasons. He can do it all, make all the throws. Great leader. Mentally and physically, as tough as they come. He’s just an excellent player in every way.”
Rivers is 97-82 as the starter with the Chargers, although just 9-26 since 2015. His 318 TD passes are eighth-most in NFL history. ***
Kenjon Barner averaged 11.0 yards on punt returns and 30.8 yards on kickoff returns before tearing his hamstring last year with the Eagles.