Head coach Chip Kelly met the media following the Eagles' 39-26 win over the Packers on Thursday night, and updated the injury situations for several of the team's key players.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso missed his third consecutive preseason game, and Kelly said that it wasn't because of the concussion that he suffered early in training camp, but because of a nagging leg injury. From Tim McManus at Birds 24/7:
"Kiko tried to run around. His leg is bothering him a little bit, so he tried to run around a little bit pregame and just didn’t feel 100 percent so we held him out. It’s not his knee, it’s not his ACL," said Kelly. "I don’t know particularly what it is — tendonitis or something like that — so he should be fine."
With Alonso out, Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans each made their first starts of the preseason. Kelly also indicated that Alonso may play in the fourth preseason game against the Jets next Thursday. This would be something of a surprise, as starters generally don't even dress for the fourth and final game of the preseason.
Kicker Cody Parkey was also a late, unexplained scratch from Saturday's game. Kelly said Parkey tweaked his leg, and had the game been during the regular season, Parkey would have played. Kicker/punter Kip Smith played in relief of Parkey, and went 3/4 on extra point tries.
Cody Parkey tweaked his leg. That's why he didn't play. Chip said he would have played if it were a real game.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 30, 2015
Despite a shaky preseason in which Parkey has missed two field goals and an extra point try, the coaching staff has expressed confidence in his abilities. Smith, meanwhile, has missed several kicks and simply doesn't look like an NFL-caliber kicker.
The only notable injury that occurred during the game was right tackle Lane Johnson, who was injured during the first quarter. Johnson indicated afterwards that the injury was a mild MCL sprain, and that he would be alright. Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice reported after the game that Johnson seemed to be "fine" while walking through the locker room.
Lane Johnson says "a little sprained MCL I’ll be OK
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) August 30, 2015
For the most part, the Eagles have been lucky with injuries this summer. Rookie cornerback JaCorey Shepherd and outside linebacker Travis Long will miss the season with knee injuries suffered early in the preseason, but they are essentially the only notable players who will miss significant time. The Eagles wrap up the preseason against the New York Jets next Thursday night.