Pederson Puts Focus on CBs Coming Back, Not Jalen Ramsey

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles had a Jalen on the practice field Wednesday but it wasn't the one the fan base wanted.

All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams Tuesday night for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder, a haul that was a little too steep for Howie Roseman, who has been keeping a keen eye on the situation ever since Ramsey first tried to force his way out of Jacksonville.

According to multiple NFL sources, the Eagles topped out at a first-round pick and a second-rounder, a package that wasn't good enough for the Jags.

Speaking before practice on Wednesday Eagles coach Doug Pederson focused on the players he is about to get back from injury, not losing out in the Ramsey sweepstakes.

“No disappointment,” Pederson claimed. “It’s hard to comment on that because he’s obviously not on our team. But yeah, a lot of respect for him, good player, happy for the Rams. He’ll be a great addition. They have some corners that are banged up, obviously traded one [Marcus Peters to Baltimore], so he’ll fit in well there."

From there Pederson mentioned the CBs that are slowly being integrated back into the mix in Philadelphia, including Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby.

"Listen, we’re getting guys back too, on our team. I’m excited about the guys we have coming back and getting in the mix," the coach insisted. "We’re starting to get healthy, that’s the encouraging part from our side.”

Mills hasn’t played since injuring his foot midway through the 2018 season. On Tuesday the Eagles started the clock on a 21-day practice window for Mills in which the LSU product can work in practice but not count against the 53-man roster. If everything goes to plan this week, however, the thought is that Mills will be in uniform Sunday night against Dallas.

Darby, meanwhile, is expected to ramp up his activity after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury.

Additionally, Cre'Von LeBlanc [foot] would be eligible to start practicing this week as a designated to return player from injured reserve in advance of a potential activation after Week 8 but Pederson said the slot corner is not ready to practice yet.

The starting CBs in Minnesota last Sunday -- Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones -- were victimized badly by the Vikings' talented receiving dup of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.

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