Eagles Notes: Jason Peters is a No-Show, Phillips Sits Out

Eagles left tackle Jason Peters did not show up for Tuesday's "voluntary" OTA practice.  Peters also missed last Monday's workout due to travel delays.

The Eagles made no excuse for Peters' absence.

"No, it's not injury related," said Kelly.  We know where he is, and we know what's going on, I expect him here shortly."

Peters position coach, Jeff Stoutland, said he is impressed with Peters' recovery.

"You wouldn’t know Jason Peters had an injury," Stoutland said.

The Eagles offensive line should be filled with a ton of new faces, getting Peters back might be the most important returning piece to the team.  Also back is Todd Herremans who will move inside to right guard and center Jason Kelce, Kelce has been limited to individual drills at OTAs but should be ready to go by training camp.  Coach Stoutland says he's "very close" to full health after taring his MCL and partially taring his ACL last September.  Evan Mathis should be ready to go at left guard by training camp after under-going ankle surgery and Dennis Kelly will battle first-round pick Lane Johnson for the right tackle spot.

With many of the pieces in place, it seems former first round pick Danny Watkins is still searching for a role, he was taking reps with the second offensive line behind journeyman Allen Barbre. With Mathis recovering from ankle surgery, Watkins had a chance to prove he belongs on the roster as a backup, but so far he hasn't stood out.

"I have no expectations of anybody," Kelly said when asked about Watkins status as a former first-round pick. "When I got here on January 16th, it didn't matter to me if you were a first round pick or an undrafted free agent. It's about putting the best team on the field. Where they got picked in the past or those things, it was a clean slate with us coming in. It's a clean slate with him."

The only other Eagle who was not on the field was safety Kenny Phillips, who is recovering from a knee injury.

Phillips said his Tuesday absence from practice was precautionary and "nothing serious."

Phillips is taking it easy on his left knee, which underwent microfracture surgery in 2009.  It's possible he suffered a setback, or it could be general soreness considering Phillips has battled knee injuries since entering the league.

"He's had an injury for a couple of years now," Kelly stated.  "I don't ask questions. They just tell me who is going and who is not going."