Eagles say Jason Peters expected at minicamp, has 'chip on his shoulder'

The Eagles will begin their voluntary minicamp on Tuesday with Jason Peters expected on the field at left tackle.

Peters, 34, missed two games last season and fought injuries throughout the year, keeping him from playing at the level that has made him an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.

But the Eagles still view Peters as a key player. That's why he has a $9.7 million cap number, and why the team has continued committing to Peters as their left tackle even after giving Lane Johnson a big contract and drafting in a spot when the Eagles could add another starting-caliber tackle.

"Jason Peters, he is rare," Howie Roseman said. "Every time I say his name, I just knock because of how valuable he is to this football team and to this organization. You don't have many Hall of Fame players come through your door. …He understands that [he was limited last season], he knows that, he has a chip on his shoulder about that. At the same time, for us, he's here, he's really excited about getting back to who he is, so we're excited he's back here and that we have this luxury of two difference-making left tackles on this roster."

Peters missed the first week of the team's offseason program, but he returned for the second week and Doug Pederson said he expects him to be a part of the three-day minicamp. Pederson said the reports on Peters have so far been positive, and that Peters' back has not been a problem.

"The first phase one is just workouts and classrooms, so we haven't been on the field much," Pederson said. "We can't, as a staff, be on the field with our players. But what I've seen in the weight room and talked to our strength and conditioning staff, he's done a good job."

The Eagles still might draft an offensive lineman in the first round. They'll likely add young linemen at some point during the draft, because they skipped the position during the past two years. But Pederson said he does not think the Eagles need to plug holes after signing Stefen Wisniewski and Brandon Brooks at guard, and with Peters returning in 2016.

"I feel really good about our offensive line right now, where we're sitting," Pederson said. "Wisniewski gives us added depth, a lot of games there. Brandon Brooks brings a veteran presence at guard as well. Wisniewski gives you a little more depth at center and left guard position with [Allen] Barbre and [Malcolm] Bunche and those guys working in there. So I feel really good where we're at right now."