PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - With the Eagles leaning on hockey-like terms to describe the injury Nick Foles has been dealing with in recent days (upper-body soreness, according to Doug Pederson's Dave Hakstol impression), the horse's mouth himself cleared things up after a steamy practice on Tuesday.

Foles missed his third consecutive session with what he described as muscle spasms in his neck and shoulder area, likely the trap judging by wear the veteran quarterback was pointing during his press conference.

"It’s not a big deal," Foles explained. "Once again, we’re just being smart."

With the Eagles' preseason opener set for Thursday and no practice on Wednesday that likely means Foles will not be playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Carson Wentz, meanwhile, remains limited to individual work and 7-on-7 drills and is not cleared for contact yet so third-string QB Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan will be splitting the duties at the game's most important position against Pittsburgh.

"Me and Nate (Sudfeld) have been told that we'll get a majority of the time throughout the preseason," Callahan said after practice.

Wentz did have one of his sharper days throwing the football on Tuesday, particularly in 7-on-7 red-zone work, where he high-pointed the football for Dallas Goedert over Jalen Mills for a touchdown at one point and also threw a bullet to Joshua Perkins just over the goal line for another score.

Sudfeld handled the first-team work in all the team drills for the third consecutive day.

Returning to practice were veteran tight ends Zach Ertz and Richard Rodgers while receiver Nelson Agholor was given a veteran's day and Mike Wallace remained out with knee tendinitis.

With Alshon Jeffery still on the PUP list that means the Eagles were without their top three receivers for Tuesday's session.

As for the game Pederson insists the healthy starters will get at least some action.

"We're going to try to get everybody in this football game. It's one of those games where we try to play everybody," the coach claimed. "We're still evaluating, so it's great to get everybody in this game. Our starters, offensively and defensively, the ones that are healthy and going to play, are going to get some good work. I want to make sure that they get a little bit of work in this game. And I want to see all the young guys perform, and they'll get some great opportunities."

DAY 11 NEWS and NOTES:

-The Eagles spent a long period with the offense backed-up on the goal line and on one occasion, Fletcher Cox exploded from the interior and would have either sacked Sudfeld for a safety or forced him to throw it away for an intentional-grounding safety.

-Rookie running back Josh Adams dropped a pass in the flat with Rasul Douglas bearing down and Douglas gave him the business. Overall, though, Adams had a very productive week.

-WR Markus Wheaton left practice early and without he and Agholor on the field, it was Corey Clement taking second-team reps as the punt returner behind Darren Sproles.

-The nickel back scorecard had Sidney Jones back in the saddle and De'Vante Bausby as the season-team left cornerback. D.J. Killings and Avonte Maddox handle the backup reps in the slot as Jones and Bausby rotate days.

-Jones showed some real smarts today in zone coverage by breaking off from his responsibility to undercut a pass from Callahan to Perkins, nearly intercepting it.

-At weakside linebacker, it continues to be Nate Gerry and Kamu Grugier-Hill getting most of the opportunities. Pre-camp favorite Corey Nelson has fallen back and also was in pain for a little bit after his right foot was stepped on.

-An interesting offensive look was Sudfeld faking the handoff to Greg Ward on a jet sweep and then pitching to it Darren Sproles on the same side Ward was coming from.

-Wayne native Tim Wilson, a 5-foot-9 wideout, had his biggest play of camp, climbing the ladder to haul in a pass from Callahan after sitting down in the middle of the field.

-Pederson originally was going to have players wear pads today but scaled back because of the heat and humidity. This was the hottest day of camp so far edging out yesterday by a nose.

-When asked about young players fans should take notice of Thursday, Foles went with Goedert and receiver Rashard Davis. Pederson has also mentioned Davis in the past who faces a tough numbers game but it's evident the Eagles really like him.
-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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