Kiko Alonso Intrigue Grows

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - If absence makes the heart grow fonder, Eagles fans have to be smitten with former Pro Bowl linebacker Kiko Alonso.

The Philadelphia faithful has yet to see its presumed new linebacking star in game action just yet due to a concussion and now tendonitis in one of his knees.

Until Tuesday Chip Kelly had downplayed the most recent setback, calling Alonso's latest issue a "nagging" knee injury unrelated to the 2014 ACL tear he suffered in his left knee when with Buffalo.

The warning bells sounded though when Kelly backtracked and claimed he now didn't know which knee Alonso was having difficulty with.

"You know what, I don't even know (what knee is the problem)," Kelly confessed.  "I know he's got tendonitis. It’s not very pressing. He didn't have any issues (Monday).  He'll go out today and tomorrow and we'll see where he is."

There are two ways to look at that.

Either Kelly is so sure the injury is not a concern that he isn't paying all that much attention to it or the coach is being flippant in an attempt to shield Alonso from a harsher microscope.

Considering Kelly is known for his attention to detail it's hard to accept that he doesn't know what knee is ailing Alonso, and the coach should have realized his uncertainty would only raise more questions.

The good news is that Alonso has been practicing and he plans to play in the preseason finale against the Jets.The bad news is he admitted the pain in his surgically-repaired knee.

"(It will) be my first time doing live tackling," Alonso said. "I wouldn't necessarily say I need it but it will be nice to get out there and do some live tackling."

EAGLES GET TO 75

The Eagles reached the NFL-Mandated 75-man roster limit on Tuesday with a pair of procedural moves, along with the release of former Villanova running back Kevin Monangai.

Philadelphia officially waived/injured linebacker Emmanuel Acho after his recent thumb surgery and also finally placed rookie cornerback JaCorey Shepherd on injured reserve after his ACL injury early in camp.

The Eagles will once again have to trim the roster to the final 53 players by Saturday afternoon at 4 PM.

FORMER PRO-BOWLER PASSES

The Eagles confirmed the passing of former Pro Bowl linebacker Tom Scott, who died on Monday at the age of 84.

A two-time Pro Bow selection as an Eagle in 1957 and '58, Scott played 12 NFL seasons with Philadelphia ('53-58) and with the New York Giants ('59-64).

He totaled seven fumble recoveries, three interceptions and one fumble return for a touchdown in 72 games with the Eagles, and earned first-team All-Pro honors by The Sporting News in '55.

Scott was also an All-American at the University of Virginia and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in '79. He is survived by his wife, Linda

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