Eagles Notes: Alonso sits out again

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Kiko Alonso was held out of the Eagles' third preseason game against the Packers with a minor leg injury, even though he told reporters two days before that he expected to play.

Alonso suffered a concussion on Aug. 4 and hasn't played in the preseason. The linebacker returned to practice on Aug. 18, but he was limited and apparently wasn't a full participant last week either. (Practices have been closed to the media.)

When asked about player availability for the Packers game, Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Thursday that he hadn't made any decisions.

After the game, Kelly said, "His leg's bothering him a little bit, so he tried to run around a little bit pregame, just didn't feel 100 percent, so we held him out," He added that the injury was not related to his surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament.

It's possible that Alonso may not play at all this preseason. Kelly has kept his starters out of the final game before the regular season in each of the two previous years. Alonso missed all of last season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The Eagles acquired the 25-year-old in a trade with the Bills in March. Many have wondered how the inside- linebacker rotation would work with Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans still on the team. While both Kendricks and Ryans sat out the first two preseason games along with Alonso, both were in uniform Saturday night.

Josh Huff traveled with the Eagles but didn't play after he missed two practices last week while mourning the death of a friend.

The Eagles wide receiver has seen limited action in the preseason despite starting in both previous games. Huff played 14 snaps against the Colts and 18 against the Ravens. He had one catch for 12 yards against Baltimore.

With Huff out, rookie Nelson Agholor started on the outside opposite Riley Cooper. Jordan Matthews started in the slot. Miles Austin also was active after missing the Ravens game with an unspecified injury.

The Eagles listed tight end Zach Ertz (groin), linebacker Marcus Smith (hamstring), cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (knee), and linebacker Emmanuel Acho (hand) as inactive. Acho had surgery on his thumb last week and will be waived/injured this week. Ertz and Smith have said that they expect to be ready for the season opener. Shepherd is out for the season after he tore an ACL.

Tackle Lane Johnson injured his left knee in the first quarter and didn't return for precautionary reasons. . . . Kip Smith handled kicking duties with Cody Parkey given the night off. Kelly said that Parkey tweaked his leg Tuesday but that he could have played if it was a regular-season game. Smith missed his first extra-point attempt.

- Jeff McLane