Uncertainty Surrounding Foles has McGloin Pushing for Roster Spot

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - In yet another ominous sign for Nick Foles, the Eagles backup quarterback was not in attendance at the start of the team's practice on Tuesday afternoon.

Forced indoor due to rain, Foles was not present during the very short window open to the media day after he was able to do some work at practice on Monday.

The start-and-stop nature of Foles' participation this summer has been the story over the past two weeks as the veteran attempts to return from persistent elbow soreness that dates back to his 2016 season while he was in Kansas City.

He's been unable to play in any of the Eagles' preseason games to date and it's looking likely that will remain unchanged when the preseason finale kicks off Thursday against the New York Jets.

Tuesday's absence had nothing to do with the elbow, however, according to coach Doug Pederson, who said Foles was excused from the building due to an illness.

Earlier this week, Pederson remained confident that Foles will be ready for Week 1 of the regular against Washington on Sept. 10 and offensive coordinator Frank Reich echoed that sentiment on Monday.

“He’s proven so much in his career, he’s been a winner at this level, proven that he can win big games, do what it takes to win big games. So we’re confident," Reich said.

Matt McGloin is on track to start Thursday against the Jets with Dane Evans taking over at some point.

“You never want to see a teammate or a friend be injured,” McGloin said at his locker Monday. “But you try to make the most of the reps you’re given. There’s not a lot to go around, so the fact that I’ve been able to get a lot of reps throughout training camp in preseason means I try to take advantage of that.”

McGloin has already thrown it 88 times this preseason and needs to convince the Eagles he's a capable backup to Carson Wentz if the Foles injury continues to linger.

“You try to put a lot of good stuff on film,” McGloin said. “I feel like, for the most part, I’ve had a pretty good training camp. I’ve done some good things in the preseason and some bad things in the preseason as well. That’s so much of playing the quarterback position and learning the new offense and growing as a quarterback.”

McGloin finished 22-for-26 with a touchdown and an interception in nearly three quarters of work against Miami last week and Foles' questionable status could have the Eagles keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

“Everybody’s fighting for a job,” McGloin said.

In addition to Foles, defensive end Brandon Graham (triceps), defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (calf) and linebackers Najee Goode (hand) and Nate Gerry (hamstring) were still missing from practice.

A number of players were also able to return on Tuesday, including middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (groin), cornerback Ron Brooks (hamstring) and veteran defensive end Chris Long, who missed Monday's session for undisclosed reasons.

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