Adam Schefter talks Malcolm Jenkins potentially missing Eagles mandatory minicamp, the latest on Nick Foles, and more

NFL insider Adam Schefter touched on a number of Philadelphia Eagles topics during his Wednesday appearance on the 97.5 The Fanatic Morning Show with Marc Farzetta, Tra Thomas, and Bob Cooney. Here are some of the interesting things he had to say.

MALCOLM JENKINS COULD SKIP MANDATORY MINICAMP

Jenkins, as we know, has chosen not to participate in Philadelphia’s voluntary offseason workout program for the first time in his career. It’s believed his absence is related to a desire for a new contract. Strengthening that sentiment is the notion that Jenkins is seemingly willing to incur an ~$80,000 fine by skipping mandatory minicamp (June 11 through June 13):

“There’s been nothing [new] there that has transpired. I don’t think we’ll see Malcolm Jenkins for a while. Frankly, I would be surprised if we saw him at the mandatory minicamp. […] I’d be surprised if he’s there, based on everything that I’ve gathered over the last few weeks. It would surprise me if he’s there. But, look, things could change. And it’s up to the Eagles to try to get that done. But I don’t think we’ll be seeing him for a little while, until they can figure something out.”

The Eagles can always waive Jenkins’ fine, especially if they’re able to agree on a new contract. The feeling here is that the Eagles MUST do what it takes to make Jenkins happy.

I would think we’ll see the Eagles and Jenkins agree to some kind of reworked deal at some point before training camp starts in late July.

WHY IS NICK FOLES MISSING JAGUARS OTAs?

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced Foles was excused from attending OTAs due to personal reasons. Here’s what Schefter shared on that front:

“You know, I asked around yesterday after they said that he wasn’t there, didn’t know when he would be back and [Jaguars EVP of football operations Tom Coughlin] said “thoughts and prayers are with his family.” I asked a few different people that would know and was quickly rebuffed, like, “Don’t even ask.” So, I don’t know what it is. It sounds like it’s a serious issue, whatever it is. It doesn’t sound like it’s — he had an appearance for a speeding ticket in court. It sounded more serious than that. It sounded like obviously something that is on the minds of those in the Jaguars organization. And I can honestly tell you that I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like the sounds of it.”

Man. It’s not really fair to speculate what this is about so I’ll just say that we’re all hoping the best for forever Philadelphia legend Nick Foles.

UPDATE: Heartbreaking.

MILES SANDERS IS FINE

Schefter previously tweeted that the Eagles’ rookie running back isn’t seriously injured. He went into a little more detail on the radio:

“He’s missed OTAs so far, they held him out yesterday. I was told that he’s going to be back today [May 29]. That Miles Sanders will return to action. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury. It isn’t serious at all. I think the team has been extra careful just to make sure that the rookie running back is okay before they put him back into drills. Miles Sanders, I think you’ll see back in action today or certainly in a very short period of time if it’s not today. And it was a hamstring injury that was slowing him down but he’s perfectly okay.”

Barring any setbacks, it sounds like Sanders will be on the field for the Eagles’ next practice open to the media on Monday, June 3. All eyes will be on him.

DARREN SPROLES ISN’T RETIRED JUST YET

Back in late March, Sproles indicated he’d had some talks with the Eagles about a potential return. The exact quote: “We’ve had some talks. I’m going to wait until May before I make my decision. We’ll have to see.”

Well, May is nearly over and Sproles is still unsigned. Schefter made it sound like the veteran running back is in no rush to sign:

“I think he wants to play. I think that it’s the kind of thing — he’s out in California. And I think he’d like to go back to one of the teams he’s played for in the past … whether that’s the Eagles, or the Saints, or the Chargers. He wants to be in a competitive, winning situation. He’s not in any rush to go do this. He’s done this long enough to know exactly what he needs to do to be ready. And I think at the appropriate time — if and when a team comes calling — that he will start listening to what they have to say. But right now it’s not like ‘I’ve got to be at OTAs in Philadelphia.’ Or ‘I’ve got to be at OTAs in New Orleans. And I have to go leave my family.’ That’s not what he wants to do. So, I think what he wants to do is sit back, wait, and see if somebody wants him, and if somebody wants him at the appropriate time, I think that he’ll be enticed to wind up playing.”

It’s interesting to hear a non-Eagles team might be in play for Sproles.

As I’ve said numerous times before, I think Doug Pederson wouldn’t mind having Sproles on the 2019 roster. But I don’t think the front office is rushing to re-sign a 36-year-old situational back who has only been healthy for nine games over the past two seasons.

Jordan Howard and the aforementioned Sanders are locks to make the Eagles’ roster. The team was very high on Corey Clement heading into 2018 so one would imagine he’s not going anywhere (although we don’t know when he’ll be fully recovered). A fourth running back spot could be open but the Eagles might want to see if Boston Scott, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, or Donnel Pumphrey steps up for that job.

I don’t think it’s impossible that Sproles will be on the 2019 roster but it doesn’t seem likely right now.