Doug Pederson talks Eagles injury updates, Jason Peters lineup options

Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson spoke to reporters ahead of practice on Wednesday, and named a few guys who have been cleared to return from injury. He also talked a bit about Jordan Mailata’s development and the energy he and the team get from the young contributors.

Here’s what the head coach had to say:

Injury Updates

Jason Peters, Jalen Reagor, Dallas Goedert, T.J. Edwards, and Rudy Ford have been cleared to practice Wednesday.

• They are excited to get Jason Peters back this week, and now he just has to get back out there and get comfortable with the offensive line. Pederson noted that Peters can help at left tackle and has right guard experience, so they’ll move him around a bit to see where he can best help the offense. The head coach said he appreciate that Peters is willing to line up wherever is best for the group.
• Pederson is looking forward to getting Goedert integrated back into practice, even if it’s limited to catching some passes from Carson Wentz and doing some routes. They want to see how he responds to a more intense workout on his injury.
• Reagor is in a similar situation, they want to get him back into the offense and see where he’s at and how he feels.

Lane Johnson, Miles Sanders, and Malik Jackson are day-to-day, and Alshon Jeffery’s foot has been cleared to practice, but he sustained an ankle injury a couple weeks ago that is keeping him day-to-day, as well.

• Pederson was asked if it would be beneficial to sit Johnson one more week heading into the bye, to give him more time to heal. The head coach joked that the right tackle doesn’t want to come off the field, so if Johnson feels comfortable, Pederson isn’t going to be the one to stand in his way. Jack Driscoll is getting close, as well, so they’ll see where he’s at when looking at the position.

Pederson later explained that it’s a slow process incorporating injured players back into the game plan, and the young guys who stepped into those roles have been playing and improving, so it’s challenging to find the right combination of players each week. But, the head coach emphasized, if veterans are able to play, they have to find ways to get them on the field.

Other notables

• Pederson said that Jordan Mailata has filled in nicely for Jason Peters, and has done a nice job. Mailata is a bright spot for them, especially with how he played against some really good outside linebackers — the reps and time on task is valuable for the inexperienced tackle, and is something he learn from. He gives them more depth at OL.
• The head coach also talked a bit about how the energy and youthfulness of young guys flying around practice really lifts everybody. He explained that you see these young players make big plays in practice, and then to see them do it in a game, is really fun — especially so early in the season. He expects them to keep making plays throughout the season and get more playing time as a result.
• Something else that gives Pederson energy, is Beat Dallas Week. He said it’s great anytime you play a division game, especially on Sunday Night Football and for a national audience at home. They hope to feed off the momentum from Thursday’s win, and even if one or both teams is banged up or struggling, “It’s always the Dallas Cowboys.”