Doug Pederson: Ertz, McKelvin should be back after bye week

Doug Pederson told reporters Friday morning that, as expected, tight end Zach Ertz and cornerback Leodis McKelvin are out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo will also be out for Sunday’s game; Seumalo has been inactive for the first two weeks as well.

Ertz suffered a rib injury in the first week of the season, but finished the game before realizing the severity of his injury. He’s been limited since in his ability to practice football drills, but Pederson said Friday the injury is progressing well, and he expects Ertz to be available after the bye week. He said the same thing about McKelvin, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1.

“I’m prepared for (Ertz) and (McKelvin) both to be ready to go after the break,” Pederson said. “Our bye week kind of hits us at a good time, for those two especially.”

This Sunday against the Steelers, Pederson said the plan at cornerback will be the same as it was last week. The Eagles will start Ron Brooks on the outside, opposite Nolan Carroll, and Jalen Mills will come in as the outside corner in nickel packages, with Brooks sliding to the slot position.

Seumalo, meanwhile, is still dealing with a pectoral injury. Pederson said he expects the rookie offensive lineman to be back and healthy after the bye week as well.

However, because of the way he’s been hampered these last few weeks, Pederson said that if Lane Johnson’s suspension appeal fails and Johnson is out for 10 games, Stefen Wisniewski will likely be the team’s starting left guard instead of Seumalo. Current left guard Allen Barbre will slide over to replace Johnson.

Kendricks back at practice

Pederson said linebacker Mychal Kendricks would practice on Friday after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, and seemed to expect Kendricks to be able to play on Sunday.

Kendricks was dealing with a quad strain and a nose contusion, both suffered in Monday’s win over the Bears.

“(The quad) was bothering him earlier in the week, and obviously on a short week you want to give him as much rest as possible,” Pederson said, “but he was great today coming in the building and we’ll get him out there today.”