Eagles center Jason Kelce took a significant step in his recovery from sports hernia surgery by returning to practice last week, albeit on a limited basis.

That marked Kelce's first action since Philadelphia's week one win over Washington.

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This week Kelce was back at practice and taking reps with the first team offense, today he was listed a sa full participant at practice and looks like he is on pace to start on Sunday against the Texans.  Just as the Eagles ready for the return of Kelce and starting left guard Evan Mathis, they suffer another injury.  This time to starting right guard Todd Herremans. Herremans has been diagnosed with a torn left biceps, but will attempt to continue playing.

However, coach Kelly doesn't want you to feel sorry for his banged up offensive line.

"No, I don't look at it that way.  We look at it as, there's challenges that are presented to you on a daily basis in this league and you've got to face them head on," Kelly stated.  "If you start feeling sorry for yourself or get deflated about things, then shame on you.  That's not the way we look at anything.  We look at it as a challenge. Who is the next guy that is going to give us an opportunity to go beat the Texans?"

If Herremans can't go, the Eagles most likely would activate Dennis Kelly, he started at right guard while Lane Johnson was suspended for PED use and Herremans was playing right tackle.  Once Matt Tobin returned from an ankle injury, Kelly has been inactive. Another scenario is Herremans plays for one week with the injury and once Mathis returns, Tobin moves from left guard to right guard and Herremans is removed from the lineup.

Safety Nate Allen was the only Eagle who did not practice.  The hope is that he has a chance to play this week, but has missed all week with a hamstring issue.  If Allen can't go on Sunday you could see a revolving door at safety.

"It depends on how we go through training and what package Billy's [defensive coordinator Bill Davis] is in and how we are doing," Kelly said when asked if Earl Wolff would be Allen's replacement.  "So there are a lot of different variables that are involved in that. Maragos is a guy that's involved in the mix. [DB Jaylen] Watkins is a guy that's involved in the mix."

Also back practicing for Philadelphia: running back Darren Sproles, who injured his knee against New York; right guard Todd Herremans, who has a torn bicep injury; cornerback Brandon Boykin, who missed practice on Wednesday and has a hamstring injury.

Tight end Brent Celek was limited today with a back injury. Wide receiver/kick returner Brad Smith was also limited at practice after sustaining a groin injury a few weeks ago.

No Eagles have been ruled out for this week's game at this time, it looks more and more likely that Kelce and Sproles will both be back on Sunday.  One last injury update on Mychal Kendricks, who played 22 snaps last week in the game against Arizona.  He appeared mainly in the dime packages for the Eagles, but the hope is that he can contribute more this week.

"It's a combination of what packages Billy feels comfortable with in terms of what he's been able to do and execute on film," Kelly explained about the amount of time Kendricks might see on Sunday.  "We are not going to put him in a situation where he has not got an opportunity to train in those situations. But it's also [about] how does he feel?  We'll get together after Saturday and get a read with him and with Chris [head athletic trainer Chris Peduzzi] and say, ‘You know, how many snaps do we think is in the right ballpark for him?’ Then Billy makes adjustments in terms of his play-calling packages in terms of how he can fit him in there."

 

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