Short yardage becoming big problem

PHILADELPHIA» The Eagles have lost two games, and in each they came within a yard of a potentially outcome-changing touchdown.

Explanations? The offensive line has been battered. The Eagles do not employ a dedicated fullback. They will prefer a shotgun set, at times, in short-yardage situations. Pick one. Pick them all. “I think it’s a combination of everything,” Chip Kelly said Thursday before practice at the NovaCare Complex, of his short-yardage troubles. “I don’t think it’s one thing. But obviously when you are missing some guys, there is a little bit of a different feel for what we’ve got going on offensiveline-wise. But that’s not an excuse.”

Jason Kelce, out since suffering a sports hernia in Week 3, will return to his center spot Sunday against Houston. Lane Johnson has returned from his suspension. Todd Herremans should play, de- spite a biceps injury. Only Evan Mathis, still recovering from an MCL sprain, is missing.

So the offensive line should not be a problem.

But if the Eagles expect to maintain championship hopes, they must improve their third-down efficiency, short-yardage or long. They rank 17th in the NFL.

“We need to do a better job,” Kelly said. “We know that. We need to continue to stay on the field in thirddown situations.”

The NFL ranks the top 41 third-and-one rushing leaders, and there is not an Eagle on the list. And the Birds are last in the NFL in red-zone offense.

“It’s about us executing,” Kelly said, “and converting in those situations.”

••• The Eagles have scored touchdowns on 34.8 percent of their red-zone visits, worst in the NFL. By contrast, league-leading Denver is scoring touchdowns at an 82.6 percent pace whenever it inches past the opponent’s 20yard line.

Whatever is supposed to work isn’t.

Plan B?

“The red-zone offense, with me, if it’s not downfield, then I have to check the ball down to our running backs and let them run with it,” Nick Foles said. “That’s it. It just comes down to execution and being smart, especially down there. If it is there, I want to be aggressive and take a shot. But I want to throw a ball to where only my receiver can catch it, and if he doesn’t catch it, it falls harmlessly to the ground.”

••• If Earl Wolff must replace Nate Allen (hamstring) at safety Sunday in Houston, the Eagles will be well-manned. So insists Carey Williams.

“He’s practiced, knows the reps, knows the game, has seen it,” the veteran cornerback said. “He’s been out there in our defense and he has communicated with us. He understands his role. He understands his responsibilities. So I expect greatness out of him.”

Allen was the only Eagle not to practice fully Thursday, the team reported.

Brent Celek (back) and Brad Smith (groin) were limited in practice.