Rodney McLeod went through a second straight day of 7-on-7s and said after practice he’s really encouraged where he is.
And on a day when the Eagles had a long, hot, very physical full-pads 2½-hour practice that included live periods, the Eagles didn't experience any known new injuries, which is definitely good news (more observations from practice here).
For McLeod, it’s been about 10 months since he tore his ACL in the Eagles’ win over the Colts last September, and going from individual drills to 7-on-7 has been a big step for him.
That’s huge. It felt good getting back out there, actually getting in position, covering guys, moving, putting myself in those game-like situations, that’s what I need. I need more reps in that. So I continue to talk to the trainers and let them know what I’m feeling and I trust in them and they trust in what I’m telling them and we’re going to keep growing each day.
It’s hard because up to this point you’re doing a lot of drills on your own. Now you’re actually putting a body in front of you, and you’ve got to react off someone else, off their movements. But that’s what I need. That’s what I’m going to be facing all year.
McLeod missed only two games in his first six NFL seasons, so this has been a new experience for him.
He still hasn’t done any full-team drills but said he feels like he’s close. And he’s got Aug. 22 circled on his calendar. That’s the third preseason game, Eagles-Ravens at the Linc.
He said he doesn’t have to play in the preseason but he wants to.
NFL
I think where I am in my career I can do without it, but in my heart I would like to get out there. You treat that [third preseason] game like an actual regular-season game, so looking forward to that.
There’s a lot at stake for McLeod, who after a contract restructure in January is now scheduled to become a free agent after this season.
I definitely believe I will get back to the level I need to be at that the team expects me to play at. Just keep working hard. That’s what got me to this point where I’m able to compete right now early on in camp. Just looking forward to adding more reps each day. I’m just trying to grow every day and every week. I’ve already seen growth, just from [Monday] to [Tuesday]. It feels like I’m a rookie all over again but it’s a good feeling. I’m hungry and I’m really excited.
Mack Hollins
Hollins was back out at practice Tuesday after missing Monday with what Doug Pederson called an unknown “lower-body” injury, but the third-year receiver didn’t participate in any drills. Hollins indicated Monday the injury wasn’t serious and Pederson said it’s unrelated to the sports hernia that sidelined him for 18 months (see story).
Blake Countess
The recently reacquired safety was back out for a second straight day of practice after missing a couple days with what is believed to be a foot injury dating back to last year with the Rams and OTAs.
Paul Worrilow
The veteran linebacker missed a second straight practice with an unknown injury. Worrilow missed all of last year with a knee injury suffered in OTAs.
Cre'Von LeBlanc
LeBlanc missed a fourth straight day of practice with a foot or ankle injury. The slot corner was out at practice for a while, still in a walking boot.
Jeff Lurie
The Eagles’ owner, watching practice from the sideline, went down in a heap after Shelton Gibson ran him over at the end of a play. Lurie quickly popped right back up and didn’t miss a rep. The durable Lurie has never missed a game.
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