Sproles skipping workouts; Pederson says that's OK

Darren Sproles is not at the Eagles' practices this week and has not attended any voluntary workouts, coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday. Sproles is spending the spring with his family and is expected to attend the mandatory minicamp next month.

"He and I are in direct communication," Pederson said. "We have been talking all offseason and I have no issues with Darren. I fully expect him to be here for the mandatory camp. But again, this is a voluntary program, so I can't fault him for [not] being here."

Pederson added that Sproles is not unhappy in Philadelphia and does not want to be traded. An NFL Network report said Sproles was staying away after the Eagles fielded trade offers for him during the draft, but Pederson denied the report.

"We had no decisions to do that whatsoever," Pederson said. "I want Darren Sproles on this football team. we want him on this football team. He's a big part of this football team, and that's where we're at."

Sproles, 32, is in the final year of his contract. He counts $4.6 million against the salary cap this season and has a base salary of $3.5 million.

"I think where he is in his career, I've been there before, too, where sometimes you want that break," Pederson said. "I know with him and his family being apart during the season, this is a time for him to really spend quality time with the family, and he knows what it takes to get himself ready to go and I fully expect him to be here in a couple weeks."

Defensive lineman Fletcher Cox remains absent while he tries to reach a long-term deal with the Eagles. Cox has missed the Eagles' entire offseason program and Pederson said he has not been in touch with him.

"I have reached out a couple times, but that's between he and his agent," Pederson said. "Obviously we want him here. I want him here."

Cox, 25, is due to make $7.799 million this season. He would likely sign an extension that makes him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

The Eagles have a minicamp June 7-9 that Cox is required to attend. All the other camps are voluntary.

Linebacker Jordan Hicks did not participate in practice because of tightness in his leg. Hicks missed the second half of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. Pederson said that Hicks' leg tightness was "nothing severe" and that the Eagles were just being careful.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll did not participate in team drills while recovering from a leg injury. Cornerback JaCorey Shepherd is still not yet ready to return from last season's torn anterior cruciate ligament. Defensive tackle Beau Allen was excused for a personal reason.

The Eagles signed linebacker Ty Powell and tight end M.J. McFarland and released quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and offensive lineman Brett Boyko.

Powell, 28, played for the Buffalo Bills from 2013 to 2015. The 6-foot-2, 249-pound linebacker missed all of last season with a torn ACL. He has 23 career tackles and one sack. Powell is the fourth player on the Eagles who played for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in Buffalo in 2014.

McFarland tried out for the Eagles during the weekend and is the only rookie tryout player to make the team. He is 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds. He began his career at Texas, where he started eight of 36 games and had 19 receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons. McFarland then transferred to UTEP, but he never played for the Miners after testing positive for a banned substance.

By releasing Bethel-Thompson, the Eagles have only three quarterbacks: Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, and Carson Wentz.