Wentz, Smallwood Miss Thursday Practice for NFLPA Event

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Both Carson Wentz and Wendell Smallwood were not available for the Eagles' final OTA practice of the week Thursday as both are in Los Angeles for the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere.

A total of 41 rookies are at the event, which runs through Saturday. That means that both players will be back when Philadelphia resumes its on-field OTA practices next Tuesday.

The NFLPA event brings together business partners, who are on site to engage with the rookies in order to secure endorsement deals and create unique brand content like trading cards.

This year the players will be donning their official team uniforms for the first time during a photo shoot at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with the NFLPA’s exclusive trading card licensee, Panini America.

The roster on NFLPA partners on hand include Panini America, Fanatics, Nike, EA SPORTS, The Brandr Group, Topps NFL Huddle, Delta Private Jets, FedEx, New Era, Samsung, élevée, Staramba, Gatorade, Proctor & Gamble brands and Frito-Lay.

"NFLPA Rookie Premiere presents an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to interact with the promising young marketing stars entering the league," said Ahmad Nassar, president of NFL Players Inc. "Learning about the business and benefits of their union as the players plan for their new career is a tremendous advantage. Showcasing their personalities and passions allows us to connect the right players with the right brands to tell their stories, and only adds to what the NFLPA does day after day."

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