Eagles Notes: Birds, Patriots to practice, scrimmage before exhibition

The Patriots are coming, and the Eagles are happy they'll have several days of reprieve from hitting each other.

"To have competition against the best is always a good thing when you bring guys in," Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham said. "I'm just looking forward to a change-up, seeing some different people. Trying to pick up [Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady - it'll be fun just to see really where I am because they do a lot of different things."

New England arrived Monday night in Philadelphia and will spend the next four days here. The Patriots will scrimmage against the Eagles on Tuesday and Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex.

The teams will work separately during individual drills and then come together and play each other during team drills. The players will wear full pads and there will be some contact, but no tackling.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly and Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided last week to add another joint practice on Thursday - a light one before Friday night's preseason opener at Lincoln Financial Field.

"It will just be in helmets," Kelly said Sunday. "It's a lot of situational work, situational kick game, and some of that stuff. So it's not a physical practice by any stretch."

Kelly said that he will divvy up Friday's repetitions at quarterback after Wednesday's practice. Michael Vick and Nick Foles have been splitting first- and second-team snaps through all of camp.

Graham knows who will be under center for the Patriots' starting offense.

"I know you can't hit him, but I can wait until that preseason game Friday," Graham said. "Hopefully, I get to hit him one time before he gets out of there."

Center Jason Kelce (ankle) and running back LeSean McCoy (knee) both left Monday's practice early, although neither injury is considered serious. The Eagles went through a light practice, so the starters did not miss much work. Both walked off on their own power; Kelce even signed autographs on his way to the tunnel.

Left tackle Jason Peters was absent with a hamstring injury. It's the same injury that sidelined him for two days last week, and the Eagles will likely be cautious with Peters' return. The Eagles also were missing offensive tackle Ed Wang (knee), wide receiver David Ball (quadriceps), defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (hamstring), and offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (back).

Tight end Zach Ertz returned to Monday's practice after sitting out Sunday with a shoulder injury.

The Eagles released their first unofficial depth chart on Monday leading up to Friday's game, although the chart offered no clue as to who will start at quarterback. Both Vick and Foles are listed as starters.

The base offense included two tight ends and two wide receivers. Riley Cooper is listed as a starting wide receiver, but it's unlikely he'll return in time to play Friday. Arrelious Benn is listed as a fourth-team wide receiver, showing the ground he must make up to earn a starting spot.

The base defense is listed as a 3-4. Nate Allen and Patrick Chung are the starting safeties, and Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher are the starting cornerbacks. Trent Cole is listed as the top right outside linebacker.

The Eagles had nearly 20,000 fans in attendance for their second open practice, which was Military Day at Lincoln Financial Field. The team hosted 500 military members, who greeted the Eagles on the field before practice and were recognized on the big screens throughout the workout. Some players honored the servicemen and servicewomen after practice and signed autographs.

"That was big," offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. "I have some friends that are in the military. I was glad they got to be out there with us today, that was cool. Standing with them during the national anthem, that was a pretty special moment."

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