Good morning, Eagles fans! On the eve of the preseason finale against the Jets (7 p.m., NBC Philadelphia), the Eagles will conduct a walk-through at the NovaCare Complex. Our live coverage on Thursday begins with The Kickoff Show presented by Axalta at 6:30 p.m. And once the game is over, join us for The Postgame Show presented by Ricoh.
In today's Morning Roundup presented by Microsoft, head coach Doug Pederson reveals when he'll make a key decision regarding the regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons and find out how you can help a local youth football team get back on the field.
1. Doug Pederson To Make Carson Wentz/Nick Foles Decision Friday
But you won't know the answer until next Thursday at around 7 p.m.
The head coach told reporters on Tuesday that he will decide who will start at quarterback against the Falcons on Friday, but doesn't plan to announce his decision until inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff. Doug Pederson dismissed a report that Wentz received a majority of the first-team reps in practice this week.
He also offered an update on other injured players. Graham Foley has the details:
Wide receiver Mack Hollins has a lower-body injury that has improved with rest and he will be ready to go for Week 1. Running back Jay Ajayi has been improving with his lower-body injury and will continue to be evaluated. And wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has done well in the rehab of his shoulder injury. He will be monitored next week as his status for Week 1 remains uncertain.
2. Eagles Help Youth Football Team After Equipment Stolen
Thieves stole $10,000 worth of uniforms and equipment from the Wolves Youth Athletic Association, based in Southwest Philadelphia, on August 18. City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson reached out to Eagles president Don Smolenski and out of those discussions they decided to generate awareness for the Wolves Equipment Replacement Fund. Smolenski and Johnson presented checks on Tuesday to WYAA president Tom Jones at the NovaCare Complex. The pep rally was also attended by wide receiver Nelson Agholor, Eagles Cheerleaders, and the children and parents of the WYAA.
Jones said that the donations from the Eagles and the City would allow the season to start, but the community will need to help keep the program going. In addition to football equipment and uniforms, the items that were used to run the concession stands - grills, tables, and coolers - were also stolen in the heist. **Supporters can donate by visiting here**.
"We do need other things to keep our season afloat because we have to pay referee fees, league dues, our insurance, but right now we are able to start the season because we've got equipment and uniforms," Jones said of the organization which boasts 100 young children. "That was the biggest thing."
3. How Much Star Power Do The Eagles Have?
NFL Network announced its Top 100 Players of 2018 earlier in the offseason. Five Eagles were named to the list, voted on by the players, with quarterback Carson Wentz taking the No. 3 spot, the highest ever for an Eagle since the series started in 2011. However, six teams had more players on the list than the Eagles, who were tied with the Chargers and Seahawks for seventh.
ESPN rolled out its own Top 100 list determined by a panel of NFL experts. Wentz didn't rank as high, he was No. 17, but the Eagles generated more respect overall as seven players made the cut, tying for the most by a single team with Minnesota.
In addition to Wentz, four other Eagles landed on both lists - defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (No. 29 ESPN/No. 69 NFL Network), tackle Lane Johnson (No. 54 ESPN/No. 95 NFL Network), safety Malcolm Jenkins (No. 56 ESPN/No. 96 NFL Network), and tight end Zach Ertz (No. 79 ESPN/No. 68 NFL Network).
Defensive end Brandon Graham (No. 94) and center Jason Kelce (No. 98) also made the ESPN list.
4. Eagles Bring Back Tight End
The Eagles filled out their roster on Tuesday by re-signing tight end Anthony Denham, who was on the practice squad in 2016.
