Fletcher Cox expected to return to Eagles practice next week, report says

As noted earlier today, Fletcher Cox is one of three veteran players currently not attending the Eagles’ voluntary organized team activity practices in Philadelphia. That’s expected to change soon, however.

ESPN’s Tim McManus reports Cox will be back at practice next week. McManus also notes Cox isn’t at practice this week because the Eagles defensive tackle wanted to spend time with his family.

Cox recently posted a picture on Snapchat indicating he was at Simpson Bay on the island of Sint Maarten. He also posted a picture from Jeremy Maclin’s wedding, which took place in Missouri.

The fact that Cox was missing from Philadelphia’s workouts this week caused somewhat of a stir online. As a leader of the team and one of the franchise’s best players, his absence was obviously notable.

“Well, the reason is satisfactory,” said Eagles head coach Doup Pederson when asked about Cox’s status. “Again, it's a voluntary program. I would love for everybody to be here. That's just me, personally. I would love everybody to be here. I know it's not always going to work out that way. But, you know, Fletcher's one of the leaders on the football team. Guys like that, you do expect to be here. I get the rules. We abide by the rules. He's one of the guys, too, that at the end of the day, I'm going to hang my hat on and go to war with.”

Assuming the reports are true, the drama can end now. Cox will be back next week and all he will have missed is three days of non-contact practice.

It still remains to be seen when veterans Jason Peters and Donnie Jones will return to practice. No word on them yet. Given their age (Peters is 35 and Jones turns 37 soon), however, they might not be in a rush to return. One would expect both players will be back in time for mandatory minicamp in mid-June.