The Reporter (Lansdale, PA)

Birds suffer O-Line injury

LG Seumalo strains pec, will miss Saturday’s game

- By Bob Grotz bgrotz@21st-centurymed­ia.com @BobGrotz on Twitter

PHILADELPH­IA >> The Eagles suffered another setback on the offensive line, Doug Pederson revealing Wednesday that rookie left guard Isaac Seumalo has a strained pectoral muscle.

The third-round pick out of Oregon State won’t play Saturday when the Eagles oppose the Indianapol­is Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“It happened in practice two days ago,” Seumalo said. “I think it happened during (pass protection). It’s nothing serious.”

Also out for the Colts game, among others, is quarterbac­k Carson Wentz, who watched the light Wednesday practice.

Pederson said the injur y wouldn’t cost Seumalo his starting job, at the same time denying the competitio­n at guard with veteran Stefen Wisniewski was over.

Seumalo has run with the first team offense at left guard since news broke of Lane Johnson’s looming 10-game suspension, reportedly for testing positive for

“It happened in practice two days ago. I think it happened during (pass protection). It’s nothing serious.” – Eagles’ Isaac Seumalo

PEDs.

The Eagles moved left guard Allen Barbre to right tackle, where he’s the starter barring a stunning reversal of fortune for Johnson, who’s awaiting the results of his second test sample

isniewski, the product of Penn State, doesn’t want to see his streak of starting every NFL game end at 77. In the absence of Seumalo, he has a chance to show with the first-team offense Saturday.

“As far as I’m aware it’s been an open competitio­n and it’s still an open competitio­n,” Wisniewski said. “That’s as fair as it can be. I’ve been getting a lot of reps at guard and so have the other guys but that’s all I can ask for. I feel good about the way I’ve been playing and I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback from coaches and other players.”

Wentz, except for some light throwing, has been

“We expanded his role from a week ago. Full week of practice. He’s comfortabl­e with what we’re doing with him. Can’t tell you how many or the number of snaps he’ll get but he’ll definitely play and play with the first group.” — Eagles’ coach Doug Pederson on receiver Dorial GreenBeckh­am

sidelined since sustaining a cracked rib in the preseason opener. Pederson hasn’t ruled him out of playing in the preseason finale.

“Next week we only really have two days of practice,” Pederson said. “We’ll evaluate him through the weekend, take him on the trip and work him out and then meet next Monday and

Tuesday. We’ve got to at least get a day’s work with him in order for him to go in the game next week.”

Pederson anticipate­s running back Wendell Smallwood (quad) getting his first preseason action Saturday.

••• The Eagles reached an injury settlement with rookie wide receiver Hunter Sharp (Utah State), who had a hamstring issue.

Pederson said the Eagles will play without cornerback Aaron Grymes (shoulder), wide receiver Jordan Matthews (knee), rookie defensive end Alex McCalister (calf) and defensive tackle Mike Martin (knee).

Martin, by the way, doesn’t appear in danger of being cut despite the lengthy rehab.

••• Pederson wants the starters to play into the third quarter, possibly a couple of series against the Colts.

Newly-acquired receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has a package of plays with the starters.

“We expanded his role from a week ago,” Ped- erson said. “Full week of practice. He’s comfortabl­e with what we’re doing with him. Can’t tell you how many or the number of snaps he’ll get but he’ll definitely play and play with the first group.”

 ?? CHRIS SZAGOLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? A strained pectoral muscle will sideline Isaac Seumalo (73) for Saturday’s game in Indianapol­is, opening the door for Stefen Wisniewski (61) to start at left guard against the Colts.
CHRIS SZAGOLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A strained pectoral muscle will sideline Isaac Seumalo (73) for Saturday’s game in Indianapol­is, opening the door for Stefen Wisniewski (61) to start at left guard against the Colts.

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