Eagles-Colts: Pederson Discusses Playmakers

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Help is on the horizon but for now the Eagles are trying to keep their head above water offensively.

Star quarterback Carson Wentz returns Sunday against Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts while WR1 Alshon Jeffery could be back a week from Sunday in Nashville.

As a whole, though, the Colts figure to see Philadelphia without its top two running backs -- Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles -- and three of the top four projected receivers, Jeffery, Mike Wallace, and Mack Hollins

Doug Pederson, however, says it's business as usual for the reigning Super Bowl champions, although some of the formations might have to change against 1-1 Indianapolis.

“It doesn’t affect play calling,” the coach said. "It just affects personnel in the game ... but we can't make excuses for it. It’s part of the National Football League. Injuries are going to happen each and every week and you’ve got to get the next guy ready to go."

The next guys ready to go in the backfield will be Glassboro native Corey Clement as well as Wendell Smallwood and recent practice squad graduate Josh Adams. At receiver, Jordan Matthews is back to bolster things and rookie tight end Dallas Goedert may have to see the increased role fans have been clamoring for.

“It’s a plus to have three good tight ends [Zach Ertz, Goedert, and Joshua Perkins], we’ve got receivers that we can move around all over the field and just to create some matchups the best we can to keep defenses off balance,” Pederson explained.

Although Pederson didn't officially ruled out anyone on Friday morning, he stressed Jeffery has still not been cleared by doctors. Meanwhile, Ajayi (back) and Sproles (hamstring) haven’t practiced at all this week, a clear sign they will be inactive.

Wallace, meanwhile, was already moved to injured reserve with his fractured fibula to make room for Matthews on the roster where he joins Hollins (groin) and tight end Richard Rodgers (knee).

Starting left tackle Jason Peters, who has been limited this week, was out at practice on Friday.

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