Eagles assess Julian Vandervelde's recovery

According to a report from Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Philadelphia Eagles recently brought in former center/guard Julian Vandervelde for a physical.

#Eagles’ Jake Knott suffered MCL and PCL tears, but won’t need surgery. Team gave Julian Vandervelde a required physical to assess recovery

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 4, 2014

Vandervelde was waived by Philadelphia with an injury settlement in late August. The veteran offensive lineman suffered a back injury in late July which required him to get surgery in early August.

Vandervelde was competing with David Molk for the Eagles' backup center job. Molk ended up winning by default due to Vandervelde's injury, but Molk also played well in the preseason and could have earned the job anyway. Molk is currently the team's fill-in starting center while full-time starter Jason Kelce recovers from sports hernia surgery. Kelce is aiming to return around Week 10.

Bowen reports that the Eagles aren't necessarily looking to replace Molk right now.

I don’t get the sense that Vandervelde is ready to play or that there is any plan for him to replace Dave Molk.

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 4, 2014

Perhaps the Eagles are looking at Vandervelde to eventually replace veteran backup offensive lineman Wade Smith. Smith is currently Molk's backup at center but he hasn't played at that position in years.

It doesn't appear Vandervelde will be re-joining the Eagles anytime soon, but it's something to keep an eye on.

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In other news, Bowen reports that Eagles practice squad linebacker Jake Knott suffered a torn MCL and PCL. Knott's injuries caused the team to waive him with an injury settlement on Friday. It's a shame for Knott because he had just returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday following the end of his four-game suspension. Knott might not be able to return to an NFL roster or practice squad until late in the 2014 NFL season, if at all.