After a mistake-filled defeat on Sunday afternoon, head coach Doug Pederson addressed the media about the team's focus during the shortest week of the season. The Eagles lost to the Lions 27-24 yesterday and will prepare to take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday Night Football. Pederson stressed that the team will give its full attention to their matchup in three days.
"We've actually been focused on Green Bay, today," Pederson said. "We won't watch this game (Lions game) at all. We're getting ready for Green Bay right now. We do get the players later. As coaches we have to prepare and get ready for Thursday night. I have to flip the script. We can come back when we get some time and watch this game and make corrections from that, but at the same time we have a game in a couple of days."
With the team leaving for Wisconsin on Wednesday, that only leaves two days of preparation at the NovaCare Complex. Pederson looks to make the most of this time in a way that will be effective to the entire team.
"With a short week, to have a practice schedule and go out and bang around is hard," Pederson said. "Guys are extremely sore today and tomorrow and we leave on Wednesday. I'll do a lot of walk-throughs and mental reps and things like that to prepare for Thursday."
The Packers enter Thursday night 3-0 after a 27-16 win over the Denver Broncos. They lead the NFC North with their perfect record and stellar defense. During the first three games of the season, they have held their opponents to only 35 total points. Pederson acknowledges the challenge that comes along with playing a talented team, especially on the road.
"What I've seen so far, offense is being efficient and being able to score, score early," Pederson said. "Defense has been opportunistic. You look at this game yesterday against the Broncos, a couple turnovers there, one before the half and in the third quarter that allowed 14 points. This defense can give you a lot of problems on third down. Short week, we have to prepare and get ready to go."
Injury Updates: LB Kamu Grugier-Hill on track to make season debut Thursday night?
The Eagles released an injury report Monday that was an estimation since the team conducted a walk-through. Wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (heel), running back Corey Clement (shoulder), cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring), tackle Andre Dillard (knee), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (abdomen), and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (foot) did not participate in practice. Defensive end Derek Barnett (ankle), linebacker Nathan Gerry (calf, knee), tight end Dallas Goedert (calf), and wide reciever Alshon Jeffery (calf) were limited in practice. Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee) and quarterback Nate Sudfeld (left wrist) were full participants in practice on Monday.
