Friday, October 17
3:21 PM: During his Friday press conference, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announced that Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for Minnesota against the Eagles. J.J. McCarthy could serve as a backup this weekend. The former first-round pick has been sidelined for the past three games with a high ankle sprain. McCarthy returned to practice this week, but is questionable for Sunday.
Wentz is 2-1 for Minnesota in the three starts during McCarthy's absence. This season, Wentz has completed 69 percent of his pass attempts for 759 yards with five touchdown passes against two interceptions. He also has 29 rushing yards. Wentz, the Eagles' first-round pick (No. 2 overall) in 2016, started against his former team with Washington in 2022 and was sacked nine times in a Philly win. – Chris McPherson
12:55 PM: There are no emotions this week for quarterback Sam Howell as the Eagles prepare to take on his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, this Sunday. Howell spent the offseason in Minnesota before the Eagles traded for the young veteran just before the start of the regular season to provide experienced depth in the quarterback room.
"Nothing but respect for those guys up there," Howell said. "Kevin (O'Connell) runs a great operation up there. Just learned so much from Kevin and Josh McCown (Vikings quarterbacks coach) up there."
The Eagles' offense will square off against one of the league's stingiest defenses, led by coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings rank fifth in the league in points allowed, sixth in total yards allowed, and second in passing yards allowed. Flores is known to bring the blitz and has sent an extra rusher on 37.7 percent of opponent quarterbacks' dropbacks this season, second highest in the league.
"The thing about their defense is they make all their stuff look the same," Howell said. "And then once the ball is snapped, they kind of can do different things from the same alignments. He's a great coach. They have a great defense. Great players. It's a hard defense to prepare for, for sure. A hard defense to play against. But I'm sure we'll have a great plan."
A fifth-round draft pick in 2022, Howell has had the opportunity to be the starter and also learn behind veteran quarterbacks. In his short time with Jalen Hurts, Howell sees why the Eagles' starter is 49-18 in the regular season since Nick Sirianni arrived as head coach in 2021.
"He's hungry, man. He's hungry to get better. No matter how much success he's already had in his young career, he's still trying to get better each and every day. And he's always asking us what we think he can do better. He's always trying to get better," Howell said.
"He's a true competitor. He's a winner. And the reason he's won so much, and that's because he's continuously, no matter how much success he's had, he's continuously trying to get better. And you've really seen that here in these past couple weeks. He's trying to make this thing right. He's taking full ownership of the offense and trying to make sure everybody's on the same page. But you've really seen his leadership come out these past couple weeks. And so I have no doubt that we'll get this thing back on track." – Chris McPherson
Thursday, October 16
5:38 PM: After the Eagles' 34-17 loss to the Giants, Cooper DeJean said he felt New York was the more physical team. But the second-year defensive back thinks the Eagles have responded well as they prepare to take on the Vikings this Sunday.
"I think it's been great," DeJean said. "I feel like there's been a lot of energy at practice, which has been great. We can't forget who we are as a defense. That kind of was the message when we came in. Don't forget who you are. Just bring that energy every time we step out on the field and have confidence.
"I'm excited to be back out there with those guys. Come Sunday, we've had a great couple practices this week. We've got to finish the week out, obviously, and then put it all together on Sunday."
The Eagles will face a strong Minnesota offense led by one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson add to a strong pass-catching group for the Vikings, and DeJean sees similarities to Philadelphia's trio.
"It'll definitely be a challenge," DeJean said. "We're going to have to mix up our calls, mix up our looks. Try and throw different things at them." – Matt Ryan
11:11 AM: Nakobe Dean doesn't know what the next step entails. He just knows that he is excited to be back in the mix, on the field, part of the Eagles' defense as it prepares for Week 7 and the Minnesota Vikings.
"It's great. I love it," said Dean, who saw his first action of the season against the Giants, playing six special teams snaps to mark his return after suffering a torn patellar tendon in last season's playoff run. "Just to be part of the team again – I worked so hard coming back from the injury. It was gratifying to get back on the field. It was fun and to be back on the field, that meant everything to me."
What is Dean's role with the Eagles so talented at linebacker? They have Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell starting and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon in reserve and on special teams. They are stacked.
"I can control what I can control," Dean said. "Whatever they want me to do, I'm here to do it. We have work to do with this defense, because we know we can be better than what we've been. That's what we're working for.
"We know that Minnesota has a strong offense, very balanced. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is – Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy are both mobile guys and they know how to run the offense. They have great receivers, a great tight end. It is a potent offense. We have to step up. We have to be better."
Dean hopes to have a larger role in the defense on Sunday. He says he isn't clear on what happens next and is leaving that to Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.
Whatever he says, goes.
"I'll trust Vic. He's our leader and he knows what is best for the defense," Dean said. "I'm good with whatever role they have me in. I'm going to be ready to step in and step up for anything." – Dave Spadaro
8:52 AM: The loss of edge veteran Za'Darius Smith to retirement earlier this week was met with universal surprise in the Eagles' locker room, and in the life cycle of the NFL, it is a bump in the road.
Life goes on.
Opportunity knocks for other players.
One of those players is outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who has a chance to see his role increase. Signed as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Ojulari has played 63 defensive snaps in the last two games after being inactive in the first four. He has been productive with six total tackles, one for a loss, and a quarterback hit.
"We just have to pick up the slack with him gone," Ojurlari said. "That's the way it works here. Whatever that means for me, I'm ready. We know we have our jobs to do. That's it."
Ojulari's turn came after four games and he was ready to step up. That first month of the season, he admits, was a test for him and, in the long run, Ojulari believes it will be beneficial.
"I had to be patient and keep working hard," he said. "Things aren't always going to go according to your plan, so be prepared. Do your job. That's the mindset I've had, but no doubt it was tough for me. I expect a lot out of myself." – Dave Spadaro
Wednesday, October 15
6:22 PM: A full participant in practice on Wednesday after missing the Week 6 game against the Giants with a heel injury, defensive tackle Jalen Carter is excited to get back on the field Sunday at Minnesota.
"Missing a game, it hurt me," said Carter, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. "I couldn't be out there contributing, helping out my teammates. I feel good, ready to go. I'm here to play, to win games. When I can't help, man, that's painful. So I'm working toward Sunday, going to be ready to go and play football.
"Being on the sidelines is not my thing. I've never really missed games like that – through college and my whole life. The way the game went (against the Giants) and not being able to impact things … we are on to the next week and thankfully we play them again (in Week 8). We just have to get back to the basics and that's what we're doing right now. We're not even going to think about last week. We're thinking about this week and going out there and looking to get a win and worry about this game and the Vikings." — Dave Spadaro
Tuesday, October 14
4:56 PM: Kelee Ringo got the start over Adoree' Jackson on Thursday night against the Giants, but both cornerbacks played in the second half after Quinyon Mitchell's injury.
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio was asked between Ringo and Jackson who he would go with at this point, and he said, "Right now, [it] probably would be Adoree'."
Both cornerbacks might be thrust into action on Sunday against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings, though, as Fangio said it "remains to be seen" if Mitchell will be able to play due to a hamstring injury. — Matt Ryan
Monday, October 13
5:40 PM: While the Eagles are coming off the mini-bye weekend, the Minnesota Vikings enjoyed their bye in Week 6 after a win over the Browns in London.
Who will start at quarterback against the Eagles? J.J. McCarthy has missed the past three games with an ankle injury, but will return to the practice field this week, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Monday.
With McCarthy sidelined, Carson Wentz has won two of his three starts after coming out of retirement just before the start of the season. Wentz suffered a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury against the Browns, but was able to finish the game.
The Vikings opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Blake Cashman, who wears the green dot communications helmet on defense. Cashman suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener.
O'Connell also said that starting offensive linemen Donovan Jackson (left guard, wrist) and Brian O'Neill (right tackle, knee) will return to practice this week after missing time due to injury. – Chris McPherson
