Ingram's knee holding up
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Ingram's knee holding up
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
There's a deja vu feeling to watching Cornelius Ingram practice during Eagles OTAs.
A year ago, the rookie tight end was recovering from a torn ACL that he had suffered the previous August. This year, Ingram is trying to come back from the same injury to the same knee that occurred in the same month last summer during training camp.
But there is one notable difference, Ingram said after Thursday's session.
"I think I came into this camp with way more confidence than where I was this time last year," Ingram said. "That helps out a lot -- just knowing you can relax and just play football. It's going good."
For the first two days of OTAs, which feature rookies and selected veterans, Ingram has managed to do everything the coaches have asked. He cut in both directions, ran full out, made catches that required some tumbling, and his left knee held up just fine.
In essence, he looked no different from the players that weren't trying to bounce back from back-to-back knee injuries.
"I know I can play this game," Ingram said. "I know if my knee's healthy, I can play this game at a high level."
Ingram is competing with Clay Harbor and Martin Rucker to be the backup tight end to Brent Celek.
Here are some other tidbits from today's practice:
-- Defensive back Marlin Jackson didn't participate in most of the team drills. A day after playing with the first unit as the free safety, Jackson was replaced by rookie Nate Allen Thursday. Jackson, who is also trying to recover from two torn ACLs in two years, ran Wednesday with a noticeable limp. The step back was probably just a precautionary move by Eagles coaches.
-- Tackle King Dunlap said that he gained 30 pounds in the off-season and is now listed at 6-foot-9, 335 pounds. Dunlap said that offensive line coach Juan Castillo suggested that he put more weight on his tall frame. A third-year pro, Dunlap wasn't originally required to be at this week's OTAs, but he asked to be included and the coaches obliged him.
-- Even though Fenuki Tupou is listed as a tackle on the roster, he has been moved inside to play either guard spot. Tupou was on injured reserve last year as a rookie, but is back and likely trying to wrest the last guard spot on the 53-man roster from Max Jean-Gilles.
-- Wide receiver Chad Hall impressed with several long receptions. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Air Force product is small and is a long shot to make the team, but his versatility should help his cause. Hall can return both kicks and punts and actually took a few a handoffs during individual drills.
That's good news, but we should trade to get back Cliff Lee.— John663- Reported.
Sorry, but Celek is the man, and trading for a 7th rounder doesn't help much.— kjuggs77
there is no way this guy lasts for even like 2 complete NFL seasons. it would be like a miracle like Reid coming in to camp at a lean 180 pounds. its not gonna happen. just like him winning the SB.- charlie, you prob said the same thing about Buckhalter. You never know. Id like to see a guy like Chad Hall find a role on this team. Sometimes these small fast guys can create space and break long plays. Maybe he makes it on special teams.— peteike
- If his knees hold up, he can be a very good weapon. Was the best TE in college the year before he got hurt.— ESFjellin
- 180 pounds?? He is a bit more than that and will do fine in the NFL. He had the same knee repaired because it was never repaired right and the Eales knew this when they drafted him. His talent was well worth the risk. With Celek and Ingram, that is a nice 2 TE set...and trading who for a 7th rounder?? Celek?? Are you nuts??!— crohnkiller
- its true I did. buckhalter was a miracle. this guy wont be. I hope he pulls through but his knees have already proven they are not cut out for professional football. its another wasted draft pick by Reid on awesome MCL patients.
- King Dunlap and MJG should form a human centipede— kletisklump
Now that the world renown Eagle's doctors have applied their cutting edge technology to recreate Ingram's knee it should be as strong as the Golden Gate Bridge.- King and Max are revitalized---one gains weight the other is losing it.— Romus
- Clay Harbor Lights will give Corn a run for his money as the backup TE---then again he may be the backup fullback before all is said and done.— Romus
- It would be real nice for the offense if Ingram can be productive at the TE pos. Unfortunately, he would ALSO have to play on special teams too. And I would not be sure his knee would survive even a couple of games going full tilt down the field and getting blindsided maybe. Oddly enough, if he were the starter, he might last longer! But Brent Celek is the Iggles starting Tight End....as he has worked for and EARNED it. Hope there's siomeone else ready to be the #2 TE we can put on the praqctice squad, because he (Ingram)just will not LAST very long on special teams.— TBear
- Good News on Ingram. His NFL career is off to a very shaky start. How he holds up remains to be seen. Eagles knew they were rolling the dice with Ingram when they drafted him--still I believe they were surprised when his knee folded last year. Hence--all the TE depth at camp this year!— Smashmouth
- Wolf; Just wanted to know what Kevin Kolb can do to help this knee injury situation. Any thoughts?— TimO
