Eagles Notes: Ertz, Kendricks back at practice

After one-day absences, tight end Zach Ertz and linebacker Mychal Kendricks returned to practice on Saturday.

Kendricks was held out Friday because his "numbers" weren't right. Ertz said he was "not feeling 100 percent" on Friday and sat for precautionary reasons, but he would not reveal the ailment. Coach Chip Kelly said the players had a "nagging something."

Running back DeMarco Murray's workload increased, but he did not appear to be a full participant. He is recovering from an illness that kept him out on Thursday and is "going around." It caused wide receiver Jordan Matthews to miss a walk-through on Friday.

Linebacker Kiko Alonso, who has a concussion, is out while going through the league-mandated concussion protocol. He must complete all five stages, which includes being cleared by an independent neurologist.

Safety Jerome Couplin remained sidelined after undergoing an appendectomy earlier in the week. Couplin felt stomach pain on Monday, and it was diagnosed as appendicitis. Kelly said Couplin should be back early next week.

"I'm feeling a lot better," Couplin said. "It was pretty tough to deal with. . . . I'll be OK."

Couplin said he's able to stay in shape while he's out, and he is on the sideline at practice with charts in his hands.

"Every play for me is a mental rep," Couplin said. ". . . I was picking up from where I left off in the offseason, and I felt like I had a real good offseason. Coaches said I did. Progression was going well. So now it's just staying into it mentally, so when physically I'm able to go, I'm ready to go."

Former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles reached a two-year contract extension with the St. Louis Rams worth $24.5 million, a sign of the team's commitment to him as the starter.

He started 16 games for coach Chip Kelly during the last two seasons before the Eagles traded him to the Rams in March for Sam Bradford.

"I'm very happy for him," Kelly said. "I think things worked out for him. Nick is an awesome person, first and foremost, and when you get to this league, you always hope you get an opportunity to get to a second contract, and it looks like he did."

Sam Bradford displayed noticeable improvement in recent days while acclimating to the offense. Kelly said before practice Saturday that Bradford "had a real good day" Friday.

"He's getting more comfortable," Kelly said. "The more 11-on-11 he gets and pocket awareness and things like that. I think that's what we expected when we traded for him."

The Eagles have their final public practice on Sunday. It's military day at Lincoln Financial Field. The lots will open at 9 a.m. and gates at 10 a.m. Festivities begin at 11:45 a.m. Practice is free to attend.

- Zach Berman