Eagles missing linebacker as NFC Championship Game prep begins

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Updated: 4:03 p.m.

What's left of the Eagles' 53-man roster is pretty healthy as the Birds kicked off practice leading into Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Vikings. 

With one exception. 

Middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was the only player on the roster who did not practice as the team worked out inside their practice bubble in pads Wednesday. Ellerbe has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Ellerbe was there as a spectator and without a helmet. Sidney Jones (hamstring) was a full participant. 

The veteran linebacker missed practice last Tuesday, was limited Wednesday and became a full participant Thursday. We'll see if this week mirrors that. 

Ellerbe ended up being listed as questionable for the game, but was active against the Falcons and played 23 snaps (37 percent). Ellerbe is the Eagles' starting MIKE linebacker in their base package. He comes out on nickel downs. 

In Minnesota, Vikings receiver Adam Thielen missed practice with a lower back injury. Thielen caught 91 passes for over 1,200 yards this season.  

The Eagles were back in pads Wednesday, trying to keep things as normal as possible. There was plenty of intensity during the open portion of the practice. During special teams drills, rookie cornerback Rasul Douglas ran through veteran linebacker Najee Goode. That's some West Virginia on West Virginia crime. 

Here are some views from Wednesday's session: 

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