Chip: Foles is out for Washington, Fletcher is in

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said an exam today showed quarterback Nick Foles' collarbone hasn't healed, and he won't play this week at Washington. Kelly said corner Bradley Fletcher will remain in the starting lineup.

Foles was injured Nov. 2 vs. Houston. A scan after the first Dallas game showed normal healing, a source close to the situation  said, and Foles could have been cleared had today's scan showed the process was complete, but that was not the case. It is unclear when or if Foles will be cleared to practice and play.

Kelly said the difference in the Eagles' Thanksgiving romp over the Cowboys and Sunday night's 38-27 loss, which probably will keep the Eagles out of the playoffs, was that Dallas quarterback Tony Romo played much better.

Kelly said up man  Brad Smith should have fielded the opening kickoff, which Josh Huff couldn't get to.

He said third downs -- converting them on offense and surrendering them on defense -- remain a key problem for the 9-5 Eagles.

Kelly indicated he doesn't want to move Nolan Carroll outside to Fletcher's spot because Carroll is so valuable in the dime, which the Eagles play a lot, without DeMeco Ryans.

He said there was no overall theme to Mark Sanchez's nine interceptions, accrued in seven games, and he defended Sanchez's arm strength by citing a throw he made in the preseason opener at Chicago. (Yes, really.)

Kelly said he will stick with Fletcher because "I've seen Fletch compete ... He gives you everything he has."

Kelly had said last week that his players understood the importance of the Dallas game, which held the key to controlling the NFC East. Yet his team trailed 21-0 in the second quarter, at home. Asked how that could be, Kelly said the team "didn't play flat or lack energy. We just didn't execute. It's about eliminating mistakes."

The Eagles lead the NFL in turnovers.

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