Eagles DT Fletcher Cox back at practices, cites family time as reason for absence

Fletcher Cox volunteered to attend the second week of organized team activities, returning to the practice field Tuesday to end the scrutiny that came after the Eagles' Pro Bowl defensive tackle missed last week's sessions.

Cox explained that he previously scheduled family time, and the organization was aware that he would miss last week's three sessions. He has otherwise attended all the offseason programs, and he said he would attend all the remaining voluntary practices before mandatory minicamp begins in two weeks.

"I know it's very important that I'm here," Cox said. "Also, my family is important to me, too. . . . It wasn't a serious family issue. It was a time where my whole family could take off work, and it was time I could spend with them. That's important. Football and family are important to me."

Cox is entering his sixth season with the Eagles and is in the second year of a $103 million contract. Because Cox is the highest-paid player on the team, it didn't look good that he stayed away last week while most of his teammates practiced in Philadelphia. Left tackle Jason Peters, punter Donnie Jones, and defensive end Marcus Smith were not subject to the same criticism, and other players were absent for various reasons Tuesday.

"The contract I got last year, the team expects [leadership] from me," Cox said. "They know what type of guy I am. I know what type of guy I am. I get a bunch of respect from guys in this locker room, and you expect it."

Cox said coach Doug Pederson and defensive line coach Chris Wilson both knew in advance that he would miss last week. Cox knew the team wanted him in Philadelphia, but he stressed the importance of the time with his family.

"I think anything that a coach says, whether it's praising a guy for being here or being critical of a guy for not being here, or even sort of excusing a guy that's not here, it all sort of takes away from the voluntary nature of it," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "We've worked through things like that before. There are players that have been here, players that haven't. Players miss for a lot of different reasons. Our job is to coach the guys that are here."

Cox noted that the collective bargaining agreement makes the workouts voluntary for a reason, and he did not want to discuss Smith's absence. He also did not believe his absence sent a bad message to the other players.

"I'm here today. I think that's what's important," Cox said. "If I wasn't here today, maybe a lot of guys would question it. But I'm here today. I walk around. Everyone knows I'm smiling."

He was back in his spot in the middle of the Eagles' defensive line. He's the centerpiece of the defense, and like the entire unit Cox was inconsistent last season. He started the season with four sacks in four games before going eight games without bringing down the quarterback. Cox finished the year with 61/2 sacks, a three-sack decline from 2015.

"I went to the Pro Bowl. I don't think it was a down year," Cox said. "I had a solid year. It could have been better. As a team, it could have been better. At the same time, that's what we use this offseason, to get better."

Cox returned leaner this offseason. He played at 320 pounds in 2016 and wants to play at 310 in 2017. He was 312 pounds Tuesday morning, and the changed body is evidence of his offseason workouts.

"I can move around a little more being a little lighter, but the main thing is, can I stay [as strong] at 310 as I was at 320?" Cox said. "I want to stay fast and strong."

He said he can still maintain the same strength at a lighter weight. That question won't be answered until September, though, which is what mattered most with Cox even during the May scrutiny. He earned the contract based on the way he plays in the autumn. By then, his attendance during one week of voluntary practices will likely be forgotten.

"It's important that I'm here," Cox said. "Last week, obviously, family is important. What's most important is I'm here today. I was on the field practicing. Coaches were happy. Players were happy to see me back, and I was also happy."