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Eagles Notes: Demetress Bell may start Sunday for Eagles

Demetress Bell appears to be in line to start at left tackle Sunday against Arizona, since King Dunlap missed practice for the second consecutive day with a hamstring injury. Dunlap's status for Sunday has been in question all week, and Eagles coach Andy Reid has sounded pessimistic about his returning Sunday.

Demetress Bell is slated to start Sunday against Arizona. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
Demetress Bell is slated to start Sunday against Arizona. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)Read more

Demetress Bell appears to be in line to start at left tackle Sunday against Arizona, since King Dunlap missed practice for the second consecutive day with a hamstring injury. Dunlap's status for Sunday has been in question all week, and Eagles coach Andy Reid has sounded pessimistic about his returning Sunday.

That means Bell, who was signed during the offseason to start at left tackle, looks as if he will line up with the first-team offense. And unlike last Sunday, when he filled in for Dunlap after a third-quarter injury, Bell can benefit from a week of practice with the first team.

"You're playing the game before you get to the game," Bell said. "You're taking the reps before you get those."

Bell expressed his eagerness about Sunday's game, and it's a chance to reverse his reputation in Philadelphia. The Eagles signed him to a lucrative contract after Jason Peters suffered an injury, but Bell was demoted during training camp and lost the job to Dunlap. Bell had a strong week of practice last week, and he is pleased with the way Wednesday and Thursday have gone.

Maclin limited

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin practiced on a limited basis, an improvement over one week earlier, when he missed the Thursday practice. Maclin is dealing with a hip pointer, and his status for Sunday remains unknown.

Dunlap was the only player to miss practice. Wide receiver Riley Cooper was limited as he continues to recover from a broken collarbone. Safety Colt Anderson, who did not practice Wednesday, was a full participant Thursday.

Henry working on hitch

Eagles punter Chas Henry averaged only 32.4 yards on five punts Sunday, part of a forgettable performance that raised the same questions that had plagued him last season.

Special-teams coordinator Bobby April said Henry does not drop the ball to his foot consistently because of a technical flaw in which his pinkie goes in or his thumb goes out. Henry is working on the issue, and April said it's "critical" for the punter to improve.

"Do I think he's going to get more consistent? Yes. Will he totally iron out the deal and never have a bad punt? Absolutely not," April said. "He's going to miss some. He may have a game or two where he misses some."

Extra points

The Eagles will leave for Arizona on Friday because of the distance. They will have their mock game there on Saturday. . . . Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that special teams factored into running back Dion Lewis' being inactive for the Baltimore game.