Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Loud McLeod pronounces himself fit to return
Carson, Calif.
McLeod has been a full-go 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 our 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 eighthmost 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.
The five-year veteran was re-signed this week to help in those areas after his close buddy Darren Sproles suffered season-ending ACL and wrist injuries last week.
When the Eagles passed, Barner signed a one-year deal with the Chargers but just wasn’t an Anthony Lynn guy, the rookie head coach with the running back pedigree releasing him on final cutdown day.
“I’ve been around a little while, so you could kind of see how things go,” Barner said. “After I missed the first preseason game I came back and I could see how things were shaping up. So I wasn’t really surprised.”
Barner obviously has briefed the Eagles about the Chargers’ offense choreographed by Ken Whisenhunt.
“What can I tell you guys about their offense?” Barner asked rhetorically. “I’d rather keep that with these guys, let these guys know some things rather than putting it out there. What I know and what I’m telling you, they may change some things.”
••• Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf) and safeties Jaylen Watkins (hamstring) and Corey Graham (hamstring) sat out practice Thursday.
They haven’t worked this week. Center Jason Kelce (knee) practiced in full after being limited the previous day . ... The Eagles are 4-7 all-time against the Chargers, who have won the last two in the series. … The AFC defensive player of the month is Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram. With 5½ sacks, he trails only league leader DeMarcus Lawrence (seven sacks) of the Cowboys. The Eagles didn’t fare well against Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, the AFC offensive player of the month. … Elliott is the NFC special teams player of the week. Elliott’s 61-yard field goal is the longest ever by an NFL rookie.