Thurmond harbors no ill will toward Giants

Walter Thurmond has three interceptions, tied for second in the league and one less than Eagles leader Nate Allen last season.

In the pass-happy NFL, the 29-year-old Thurmond has guaranteed himself a hefty raise over the $3.25 million he’s pulling in on a one-year contract with the Eagles.

That probably wouldn’t have happened had Thurmond stuck around with the Giants, who offered him injury-prone money.

“I liked my time there,” Thurmond said. “It was a great organization. It just didn’t work out. I wanted an opportunity to be able to compete for a starting job. I didn’t want to just play the nickel back position. Philly gave me the opportunity to compete for that corner spot that I thought it was going to be. Then they offered me the safety spot and I liked that situation better than the corner spot, and here I am today.”

Thurmond’s attention today is totally focused on the Giants, who the Eagles oppose Monday night, and elite receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

The Giants list Beckham and his strained hamstring questionable on their injury report, raising the possibility he will be available.

Thurmond didn’t get to play against Beckham much in Giants practices last year because, well, Beckham was nursing a hamstring, believe it or not. By the time Beckham was healthy, Thurmond was on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.

Thurmond nonetheless has a solid scouting report.

“Eli is going to throw him the ball 15 or 20 times a game, so you know he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to be able to make plays,” Thurmond said. “You really have to limit his yards after the catch and make him catch the ball in the 5- to 10-yard area and not allow him to get downfield. He has great speed to where he can take a slant route and take it 5060 yards for a touchdown … But he can also get on top of the defense. He has the speed to where he can get behind the corners and behind the safeties and we can’t allow those plays to happen either.

“We have to play sound technique, sound disciplined football and really eliminate the explosive plays.”

Elsewhere on the injury front the Eagles designated as out for the game wide receiver Nelson Agholor (ankle), defensive end Brandon Bair (groin) and linebackers Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring). All were limited in a light practice Saturday.

For whatever it means, running back Ryan Mathews (groin), listed questionable, was a full participant in the practice.

Also questionable for the Giants are defensive end Robert Ayers (hamstring), cornerback Trumaine McBride (groin, illness) and linebackers Jon Beason (concussion) and Jonathan Casillas (calf).

The Giants designated as out cornerback Prince Amukamara (pectoral), wide receiver Victor Cruz (calf) and linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring).

Seven Eagles have a touchdown catch in 2015, one player more than the grand total for last season. Brent Celek is the only Eagle with multiple TD grabs … The Eagles dropped Giants quarterbacks eight times in the 27-0 victory at the Linc one year ago in October. Connor Barwin had 3 sacks, Vinny Curry a pair. Eli Manning was sacked six times, backup Ryan Nassib twice … With 13 takeaways, the Eagles are tied for second in the NFL with the Jets and the Cardinals. The Broncos lead all teams with 14 takeaways … The Eagles have 500 or more yards in five games under Chip Kelly. Since the start of the 2013 season, only Peyton Manning and the Broncos have more such games … Rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks is seeking a fumble recovery in his fourth straight game. Byron Jones last did that for the Birds during the 1993 season. Jack Del Rio in 1985 is the last NFL rookie with a fumble recovery in three consecutive games.