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Eagles Notes: McCoy sits out practice; no word on why

LeSean McCoy was a conspicuous nonparticipant in Sunday's practice. The Eagles' star running back did not respond to several questions from reporters about why he missed the workout.

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

LeSean McCoy was a conspicuous nonparticipant in Sunday's practice. The Eagles' star running back did not respond to several questions from reporters about why he missed the workout.

McCoy did not leave Friday's preseason loss to New England with an injury and did not appear to be walking with a limp. He was in uniform and wore a visor during the workout. When coach Chip Kelly spoke to reporters before practice, he did not mention McCoy.

Also absent from practice was wide receiver Josh Huff, who left Friday's game with a shoulder injury. Kelly said the rookie's X-rays were negative, although Huff was wearing a sling and is not expected to play in Thursday's third preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It's sad to see what happened to Huff," wide receiver Riley Cooper said. "I don't know the severity of it. I know he's hurt and he's going to be out."

Cooper, who missed the first two games with an ankle injury, returned to practice Sunday and will play this week. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who has a hamstring injury, did not appear to be practicing during the portion that was open to reporters. Kelly said he expected him to return on Monday.

"If we had to play a game, Mac could play," Kelly said.

Running back Chris Polk (hamstring), linebacker Bryan Braman (back) and linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring) did not appear to be practicing.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll (groin) participated in some drills. Cornerback Cary Williams returned to practice after leaving the Patriots game with a hamstring injury. Running backs Matthew Tucker (hamstring) and David Fluellen (calf) were back after missing the game.

Smith's subpar game

Linebacker Marcus Smith played 73 defensive snaps and eight special-teams snaps Friday, but it was not a strong performance for the Eagles' first-round pick. He said that he must be "more involved" than he was and that his defensive positioning must improve.

"If you're going to play that many plays, we're going to need more production out of you," Kelly said. "Still working at it. Still have a lot of things to improve on."

Kelly complimented Smith's "burst" and his speed coming off the edge. Smith recorded two tackles.

Sanchez staying put

Mark Sanchez has cemented his role as the Eagles' backup quarterback by going 18 of 22 for 196 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the first two preseason games. When Kelly was asked if he would consider trading Sanchez to a team looking for a veteran quarterback, the coach said the Eagles "will listen to anything for anybody," but they have not received calls about Sanchez and do not want to move him.

"We need him, in terms of how he's playing right now, how he can function in what we're doing," Kelly said. "And I've always said you need to have two quarterbacks."