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McCoy kicking minor case of turf toe

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said that despite the slight injury, he intends to play Thursday vs. Steelers.

Eagles head coach Chip Kelly talks with running back LeSean McCoy as linebacker Bryan Braman stands near. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly talks with running back LeSean McCoy as linebacker Bryan Braman stands near. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)Read more

LeSEAN MCCOY practiced yesterday, and McCoy said afterward he had sat out Sunday's workout with "a small version of turf toe."

Mini-turf-toe?

Turf-toe Lite?

Micro-turf-toe?

We'll let you consult your own medical dictionary.

Meanwhile, McCoy said the injury to his left big toe occurred during last week's practices with the Patriots, and even though "it bothered me during the game . . . I was trying to play through it. It was hurting pretty bad," and Sunday "was at an all-time high, as far as pain, from the morning, 'til I got here," he wanted to get back onto the field yesterday.

McCoy, 26, noted that he rarely misses practices or games. He said he couldn't stand sitting out while some competitor is practicing, getting better. McCoy said he intends to play Thursday night, when the preseason finally visits Lincoln Financial Field, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers. An MRI and an X-ray showed no serious problem, he said.

"I just started off slow" yesterday, McCoy said, but as the toe warmed up, he felt better.

"I hate to lose the reps," he said. "I may not need a lot of 'em, but there's stuff I can get better in . . . I'm trying to get that workload in and get better."

McCoy has just seven carries for 19 yards through two preseason games. He and the other starters are expected to get their most extended exhibition action this week.

"I want to go out there and be mistake-free," McCoy said. "From the penalties, missed assignments, playing fast, tempo - Chip Kelly offense football - and execute. We've had some good drives. I feel like we take a little bit to warm up, and then go. Or, we need some adversity, then we're playing hard. I think we need, from the get-go, get out there and line up, be fast, and put some points up."

How impressive is his beard?

Travis Kelce, Kansas City tight end and brother of Eagles center Jason Kelce, scored his second highlight-film touchdown in as many preseason games Sunday night, a 43-yarder on a pass from Aaron Murray in the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Carolina Panthers. Kelce carried Panthers safety Robert Lester into the end zone. The week before, Kelce scored on a 69-yard play against the Bengals.

Kelce, 6-6, 260, was a third-round pick from Cincinnati, the same school his brother played for, Travis coming out in 2013. He underwent microfracture surgery last year, but seems to be ready to make the best of his delayed chance.

The younger Kelce has inspired comparisons to Rob Gronkowski, but his brother said yesterday that in the long run, Travis will be known more for running past people than running through them.

Jason said he told Travis after the draft that in Andy Reid and former Eagles tight-ends coach Tom Melvin, he was going to a team with a head coach who is "outstanding" and a position coach "that's going to be able to teach you the ins and outs, who's been doing it a long time."

Kelce predicted his brother, given his tools and the position he plays, would have the family's longest NFL career.

Long's shot

Travis Long is a 6-4, 255-pound outside linebacker who is having a good camp, perhaps at the position where the Eagles most need help. You haven't read that much about him because he was an undrafted free agent a year ago who spent the 2013 season on the Birds' practice squad; coming into this summer, he was under the radar. But Long might have been the team's best outside linebacker Friday against the Patriots.

"We got a good look at him versus their ones. He was very productive and did his job on a consistent basis," defensive coordinator Bill Davis said.

"I was able to put up some good film against their ones and twos in the first half," said Long, who went undrafted after suffering an ACL tear in his next-to-last game at Washington State.

He said as tough as spending a year not playing could be, it was "really good for me."

"I was able to get a whole year in this defense, a whole year in the NFL to get bigger, stronger, and get my leg healthy 100 percent," Long said. "It really contributed to the success I've had this camp."

Camp Sights 

* LeSean McCoy said Jason Peters is "the best player on this team, for sure, hands down. There's nothing he can't do. If you need him to play tight end, he can play tight end." McCoy said Peters isn't very vocal, "but his play speaks loud."

* McCoy lavishly praised Taney Dragons Little League World Series pitcher Mo'ne Davis, suggesting she "potentially could have an opportunity to play in the major leagues . . . She's making a statement, I think, for this city. She's doing well. As a team, they're doing well. A lot of congrats go to them."

* Running back Chris Polk, corner Jaylen Watkins and linebacker Jake Knott did not practice, presumably all with hamstring problems. Polk has barely practiced in camp, and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur acknowledged yesterday that "we'd sure like to see him out there," likening Polk's predicament to trying to pass a test without ever having been to class.

Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian