Jeffrey expected to play despite ankle injury
Listed as questionable despite practicing Friday
PHILADELPHIA » Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be listed as questionable for the Cowboys with what head coach Doug Pederson called “a lingering” ankle injury.
The good news is Jeffery was a full participant in the Friday indoor practice, light as it typically is.
“He’s taking some reps off in practice just so we can keep him healthy for Sunday,” Pederson said. “I’m optimistic that he’ll go, yes.”
It bears mentioning that Pederson said he expected tight end Zach Ertz to play despite a hamstring injury that hampered him through the week leading up to the Broncos game.
Ertz was scratched and apparently healed over the bye. He’s practiced fully all week.
Also noteworthy is the Eagles nursed Jeffery along through training camp and the preseason. The 27-yeaer-old veteran hasn’t missed a regular season game.
“This time of the year we’ve got a lot of players that are nicked-up,” Pederson said. “He’s just one of those guys. He’s got a little ankle right now, getting treatment on it. Wanted to get some added rest. And Ertz the same way. Feeling good and had a really good week so far of practice. But in Alshon’s case, just, again, this time of year with everybody being a little sore and nicked up, just wanted to give him a little extra rest. It’s been kind of lingering a little while. There’s no really one particular game or instance. It’s something in his case with all the cutting and stopping and starting, and practice and games and just where we are at that time of the year, you’re going to start seeing more and more guys either added to the list or taking some reps off in practice so we can keep them healthy for Sunday.”
••• For the Cowboys, veteran linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) and kicker Dan Bailey (groin) are listed as out.
Mike Nugent, the replacement kicker, has made four of six field goal attempts.
All-Pro left offensive tackle Tyron Smith (back/groin) is questionable along with safety Jeff Heath (concussion), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (foot) and tight end Geoff Swaim (knee).
••• Players coach that he is, Pederson couldn’t resist applauding his team when asked what the loss of veteran linebacker Sean Lee means to the Cowboys.
“It’s obviously tough to lose a great player like Sean — just like it is Jordan Hicks for us, leader of the team,” Pederson said.