DeMeco Ryans returns to practice

Inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans returned to practice Thursday, an encouraging sign for the Eagles that they will have Ryans on Sunday. Ryans has not missed a game since coming to Philadelphia in 2012.

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks and running back Chris Polk did not practice. It's unlikely either will play.

Eagles wide receiver Brad Smith had surgery for abdominal injury on Tuesday. He will miss a couple of weeks.

"It is big [on special teams]," coach Chip Kelly said. "He's a huge contributor for us on that team. Fortunately with Josh Huff back and getting Huff acclimated in there, his role will expand a little more from a special teams standpoint. He got his feet wet a little bit, but he will now pick up the slack in some of those areas."

Tight end James Casey will be the emergency quarterback.

**Kelly calls practice "training sessions." There is a reason for it.

"We go out there to train," Kelly said. "I think the military trains, boxers train. I agree with Allen Iverson. I think he's 100 percent right. We don't want to go out there and practice, because I don't know what practice is good for. Training is what it's all about."