Skip to content
Eagles
Link copied to clipboard

Eagles sticking with Sturgis

The Eagles will stay with Caleb Sturgis at kicker. One day after Sturgis missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt and an extra point in the Eagles' 23-20 loss to the Washington Redskins, coach Chip Kelly decided Sturgis is better than anyone else they could sign.

The Eagles will stay with Caleb Sturgis at kicker. One day after Sturgis missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt and an extra point in the Eagles' 23-20 loss to the Washington Redskins, coach Chip Kelly decided Sturgis is better than anyone else they could sign.

"Looked at what's available out there," Kelly said Monday. "I think the state of kicking in the league right now is not very good. There has been a lot of changes. . . . We feel, in terms of what's available out there, we are going to stick with Caleb."

Five teams have made kicking changes this year. The Eagles were forced to do so because of an injury to Cody Parkey.

There have been 17 missed extra points, which are 33-yard attempts for the first time in an NFL regular season. Sturgis made two of his three extra points on Sunday.

Chip wants more touches, too

DeMarco Murray does not think he's getting enough touches - and Kelly agrees. But Kelly wants every player to get more touches. He just doesn't think there are enough plays because of the offense's inconsistencies.

"We all should be getting more touches on the offensive side of the ball, but when you only have 51 snaps on offense, there aren't a lot of touches," Kelly said. "So we can stay on the field and snap it for 68, 70 plays and we are going to have a lot more balance in our run and pass game because we are on the field longer."

Murray had eight catches and two catches on Sunday. The 10 offensive touches were the most of any player on the team, but they were well below the 28.1 touches Murray averaged with Dallas last season. Kelly said he did not have a problem with Murray expressing his desire for more touches.

"I want all of our guys at the running back, wide receiver spot to want the football," Kelly said. "I don't think you want someone that says, 'I don't want the ball more.' It's what you're looking for."

Extra points

Right tackle Lane Johnson has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and an ankle sprain, according to a league source. He is still expected to play against the Saints on Sunday. Kelly did not have an update on any of the Eagles' injured players on Monday. . . . Kelly said linebacker Marcus Smith was inactive for special-teams reasons. The Eagles preferred linebackers Najee Goode and Brad Jones over Smith on special teams.