Sproles On Track for Pack

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Running backs Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews led a somewhat extensive list of players missing from a scaled down pre-Thanksgiving Day practice at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday.

Both players left Sunday’s loss in Seattle early, Sproles with a rib fracture and Mathews with a sprained knee, and while both have a chance to play against Green Bay on Monday, Sproles is on track to have a normal role and Mathews would figure to be more limited.

“Darren is fine,” coach Doug Pederson said. “We’re just holding him from practice, just to keep the rib from getting sore on him and all that. Let’s be honest He doesn’t need to practice. He’s one of those guys. He’ll be fine with a couple days of rest.”

As for Mathews, the coach’s outlook was far more tempered.

“He’d probably have to be more of a backup,” Pederson admitted.

Others held out of practice Wednesday include defensive end Connor Barwin, who is dealing with a bone bruise in his right knee, and cornerback Leodis McKelvin, who is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Barwin is still on track to play against the Pack while the extra day should help McKelvin, although concussions are unpredictable.

Right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai remains listed as week-to-week with a sprained MCL and will be replaced by Allen Barbre against Green Bay with Stefen Wisniewski stepping into Barbre’s typical left guard slot.

“It’s hard to say,” Pederson said when asked when Vaitai will be back. “It is week to week. He’s feeling better with this MCL sprain. But not sure exactly, I can’t tell you exactly how long it’s going to be, but I know it’s definitely a week to week injury.”

All of the Eagles other banged-up players -- safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee bursitis), tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring) and defensive back Terrence Brooks (hamstring)— were all able to practice Wednesday morning.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen