Maclin talks continue

There were indications late this morning that the Eagles were close to completing a deal with Jim Steiner, the agent for rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, but as of late this afternoon the two sides were still trying to find a solution to a stalemate that has lasted through the first week of training camp.

The Eagles' first-round pick was scheduled to report a week ago today with the rest of the team's rookies and has missed 11 practices, including this morning's rain-shortened session at Lehigh University.

An Eagles source indicated that the sides have talked several times today without significant progress.

Perhaps the coach most impacted by Maclin's absence is special teams coordinator Ted Daisher. Maclin is expected to be a big part of the Eagles' return games this season.

"I thought he did a good job this spring in the OTAs," Daisher said. "He's making progress. He's gotten better. That contract thing will work itself out and when it does he'll be here. We'll just coach him up. The other guys are doing a good job."

According to Daisher, receiver DeSean Jackson remains at the top of the depth chart as the Eagles' punt returner and safety Quintin Demps remains the No. 1 kick returner.

Peters practices

There wasn't much to see at the rainy Eagles' practice, which was moved to a turf field and closed to the public. The one thing you couldn't miss, however, was the return of 6-foot-4, 340-pound offensive tackle Jason Peters.

After suffering quad spasms during the team's conditioning test Thursday morning, Peters was placed on the physically unable to perform list and spent the first three days of training camp working with trainer Rick Burkholder. By working out this morning on the turf lacrosse field, Peters has been removed from the PUP list.

"It felt good to get back out there with my teammates and get some reps," Peters said.

This morning's practice was not in full pads and it seems unlikely that Peters will participate in the live scrimmage the Eagles are scheduled to stage as part of Flight Night! tonight at Lincoln Financial Field.

"There isn't any rush to come back right now," Peters said. "I'm going to be smart about it. I could go out there. I just don't want to hurt it again and start all over."

With Peters at left tackle, Todd Herremans was able to move back to left guard, although he also took some snaps at right tackle. The plan, of course, is for Shawn Andrews to play at right tackle, but he remains sidelined by a sore back that he suffered during the team's conditioning test.

Andrews gave a thumbs up this morning when asked how he felt.