Birds searching for answers in vertical passing game
PHILADELPHIA >> It looks like the next challenge for Jason Peters is playing with a torn biceps. At least that’s the vibe felt by offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who said Monday he doubts the 36-year-old Peters will sit out this week.
“I’m not a doctor,” Stoutland thought to clarify, “but that guy is a warrior. I don’t think he’s going to miss any time, personally. But we always have a contingency plan.”
Peters exited for good after 38 snaps in a 34-13 blowout of the Giants last Thursday. He said the injury wasn’t serious, but an NFL Network report later said he would sit out a couple of games.
While Stoutland was transparent, offensive coordinator Mike Groh declined comment on who would take practice reps at left tackle, much less who would line up Sunday when the Eagles entertain the Panthers.
“I think it’s too early to make that determination,” Groh replied when asked if Halapoulivaati Vaitai would get the nod.
With right tackle Lane Johnson nursing a high ankle sprain, limiting him to 58 snaps against the Giants, the Eagles moved Isaac Seumalo from left guard to right tackle. Seumalo played probably the best game of his career at right tackle in 2016, when Johnson was suspended. Seumalo looks to be the next guy up if Johnson reinjures himself.
“Isaac did a great job of jumping over there,” Groh said. “That’s hard to do. You play left guard the majority of the game and then you’ve got to move over there to right tackle. That, again, speaks to his ability to be able to do that, both the mental flexibility and obviously the physical tools to be able to do that is unique.”
Groh declined to assess the job Seumalo has done the last two games at guard compared to the work done there by veteran Stefen Wisniewski, who wound up playing 13 snaps there last Thursday in the wake of the injury to Johnson.
“Every decision we make is in the best interest of the team,” Groh said.
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The Eagles are 13-0 in the Doug Pederson era when they score 30 or more points, which they did in their win over the Giants. Groh chalks up the seasonhigh total of 34 points to continuity between quarterback Carson Wentz and his skills players, as well as getting off to a good start.
The Eagles scored 1:33 into the game thanks to an interception by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill.
“The turnover the defense created for us on the second play and giving us that great field position, we were able to capitalize on that,” Groh said. “Obviously, that energizes everybody.”
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NOTES >> The Panthers saw a five-game winning streak over the Redskins end in a 23-17 setback Sunday. Among common opponents, the Eagles beat the Falcons, 18-12, while the Panthers lost to the Falcons, 3124, at Atlanta. … Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has thrown nine TD passes against four interceptions and rushed for 19 first downs. … The Eagles hold a 7-4 lead over the Panthers in the all-time series, winning 28-23 last year on the road.