Cary: Soreness not Patriots comments reason for missing practice

Cary Williams didn't participate in teams drills despite being suited up on Sunday.

Interviewed immediately after practice, the Eagles cornerback said that he wasn't injured.

"They felt they needed my play on other days," Williams said.

However, after signing autographs with fans following open practice at Lincoln Financial Field, Williams said that he was sore in one of his legs. The Eagles confirmed his explanation.

"I went out and did individual today. Some minor soreness. But other than that I'll be out there as soon as I can," Williams said. "Chip understands I work hard. I try to do everything within the system. Today he just gave me the day off. It's not a big deal. It's just football."

Williams, who blasted the Patriots on Friday, calling them "cheaters," said that his not practicing had nothing to do with his comments. He also said that day that he didn't want to scrimmage with the Patriots next week in Foxboro, Mass.

"No, it had nothing to do with that," Williams said. "I haven't even discussed anything with Chip. I don't think he's shown any type of agreement or disagreement with what I said. I'm sure maybe we'll have a conversation, but I don't know."

Kelly said that he was aware of Williams' comments during a press conference before practice.

"I appreciate Cary's input," Kelly said. "I think the value you can get from every single player and every single coach in terms of what we're doing, to go against another team and another scheme. I think it's really beneficial as long as you and the other team are on the same page. I think it worked out really well for us last year."

Williamns got into a scuffle last August during scrimmages with the Patriots at the NovaCare Complex. Kelly benched his starting cornerback after the fight.