Who will step up with Babin and Cole out?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Who will step up with Babin and Cole out?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Another day, another injury.
Trent Cole had swelling in his AC shoulder joint after Monday's practice and will be sidelined for an extended period. Eagles coach Andy Reid did not have a specific timetable for the defensive end's return.
"He's got swelling in there," Reid said Wednesday after the morning walkthrough at training camp. "Rick [Burkholder] tried to get it calmed down last night. Came back this morning it was swelling a little bit more this morning that it even was yesterday. We get that swelling down he'll be back. Could be a day, could be a week."
Both of the Eagles' starting defensive ends are now on the shelf. Jason Babin has a calf strain and will be out for 2-3 weeks. Cole and Babin's absence will allow the next ends on the depth chart to get additional repetitions with the first team.
“I know some of the young guys can benefit from me being out there which is ultimately going to benefit the team. So that’s a part I wish I could be out there for," Babin said. "It's upsetting, but I’m going to get out there as fast as I can.”
It was then pointed out to Babin that the younger players -- like Brandon Graham, Phillip Hunt and rookie Vinny Curry -- could also benefit from his absence by getting to play against better competition. He was asked who he thought would benefit the most.
“I think that person will probably emerge at the end of this week," Babin said. "It will be obvious to everyone … I got a guy in mind.”
Veteran Darryl Tapp will also be in the mix. The Eagles typically carry five ends on their 53-man roster, which would likely mean Tapp and Hunt could be battling for that last spot. The Eagles could just end up carrying six.
Graham has taken the majority of Babin's reps since he left practice Saturday. Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins has also seen snaps on the outside. Babin will miss the first preseason game on Aug. 9 against the Steelers, which would mean Graham will likely get the start.
Cole could also be out for that game. He didn't seem too concerned about his injury.
"I'm always ready," he said.
Tight end Brent Celek appears close to returning from a knee sprain. He ran on one of the unused fields at Lehigh Wednesday morning. Celek injured his knee on Thursday during the first full squad practice.
“I don’t see me being out too terribly much longer," Celek said. "That’s up to the trainers to decide that type of stuff, but I’m starting to feel better."
Reid said that safety Phillip Thomas (hamstring) was still out, but was improving.
Rest the Older players and save them for the season.— dmanphilly
-Dman I think that's exactly what's going on here, Babin and Cole have Jim's system down cold and don't need to prove themselves to anybody now that the coach's can see they are in shape. If this were regular season me thinks that both would be starting. It would be nice to see Graham get a chance at retribution, I'm pulling for him and hope he's health. I never had anything against the kid, it wasn't his fault the Eagles gave up two first round picks and reached for him. They guy has obviously got talent, I hope he shows everyone he was a good pick and out plays Pierre Paul.- I like Graham until about Game 7, when he begins to slow, and by Game 10, he sees very little time or is injured. In my opinion, he's just too small for the rigors of the NFL.
- I'm with you there @dmanphilly. What is Fat Andy and Co trying to do? Doesn't he want to try to get to the Super Bowl this year? I don't think he'll have much hope if he blows out the older defensive guys before the season even starts. What a mah-roon!!!— Panthro2011
- --Yup - Another Phantom injury meant to spell the older guys and spare them from the grueling heat, the contact and yes the exuberance of youth.— Laughingaloud123
- "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."— critias
- This is football, it's only been three days of hitting and trench warfare. Cole and Babin will be ok, there should not be any concern about their health. This appears to me to be a very talented camp. The Eagles are separating the Men from the Boys. There are more than a few guys in the Eagles camp who have talent and are trying to create a job for themselves on both the Offensive and Defensive Fronts. Good, clean competition is never a bad situation. The level of competition is excellent to judge Brandon Graham, this Graham kid is playing like his life depends on this camp and he's turning heads and making plays.
In my opinion, the Eagles in this camp so far has more than enough quality defensive ends to step in to cover for any injury that may happen. These boys are getting after it and seems to be trying to embarrass the guy lining up across from him in every hitting drill. A Fan and Coach has to love what's going on at the Eagles camp. I'm sure at a certain point Andy is going to back these guys down, but as it stands now they are only hitting in the afternoon sessions. It's going to be hard to make cuts based on the performances so far at the Eagles camp. These kids came to play and everybody is in top shape.— Dexter - If anyone is afraid of hitting, they should have gone to the Cowboys or Giants camp. To make the 2012 Eagles squad, you're going to have to show and prove you belong. If there's any hint of having "Girly" Tendencies, it's best that you go to somebody else's Training Camp.
— Dexter - Agree with all of you. Babin and Cole have nothing to prove. Graham on the other hand...— dragoon6
- Hey All Eagles fans... Please Like The new facebook page. Philadelphia Eagles - Road To Super Bowl 2013. Like and Support the page as this season full of promises.— tinopain
- Just let these guys rest. The last thing we need is another cursed season.— p-diddy
- These injuries are just an excuse to keep these fresh for the season, Let the rookies carry the load until then.— citysims
- Babin should be traded and he can go run with the bulls— JIM IAQUINTO
- they hit in training camp and then they forget how during the season!— swgaston49
