Will Eagles promote running back from practice team?

The Eagles still have an open roster spot after putting running back Ryan Mathews on injured reserve, and it seems as if Doug Pederson wants the spot to go to practice squad running back Terrell Watson. The Eagles will wait to see how the week progresses, but they have only two running backs on the roster.

"I would like for it to be a running back," Pederson said. "With Watson sitting right there, it would be a no-brainer for us. But again, we'll wait and see later in the week how things go."

Either way, look for Byron Marshall to receive extended work Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Darren Sproles and Marshall are the top two running backs remaining. Marshall has nine carries and two catches this season.

"Right now the plan is Darren [to play], but for sure [we will] see Byron a little bit more on first and second down probably, and even in some third-down situations," Pederson said. "I think he learned a lot from the Baltimore game playing and sort of calming himself down in that game, and he had a couple of nice runs. . . . His role will definitely increase this week a little bit."

Watson joined the practice squad last week. The 23-year-old from Azusa Pacific has not played in an NFL game. He arrives in Philadelphia with an interesting backstory: His grandparents found him in a basket on their doorstep as a two-week-old in September 1993, according to a July article in the Guardian.

The Eagles' franchise quarterback and most famous season-ticket holder went hunting together during Christmas vacation.

Carson Wentz and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, the Millville native and American League MVP, hunted ducks and geese in New Jersey over the weekend. Trout is a devoted Eagles fans with field-level season tickets behind the end zone.

"We just kind of hung out and went hunting, nothing real crazy," Wentz said. "He's a great guy. It's been cool getting to know him."

They met through Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who is friends with Trout. Wentz said he's a baseball fan but did not follow it as much during college. However, he's aware of what Trout has done and knows that Trout is an Eagles fan. Wentz said Trout mentioned that "right away."

Does Trout like Wentz as a quarterback?

"I think he has to," Wentz said with a laugh. "Right?"

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins was named NFC defensive player of the week for his two-interception performance Thursday in a 24-19 win over the New York Giants. Jenkins finished with six tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and a touchdown.

Jenkins also received the award last season after a win over the New England Patriots. He is the first Eagles safety since Brian Dawkins to win the award twice.

Wide receiver Jordan Matthews (ankle) missed practice Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday. Offensive lineman Allen Barbre is day-to-day with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice. . . . Linebacker Jordan Hicks was limited with an ankle injury. . . . Safety Jaylen Watkins cleared the concussion protocol and returned to practice. Tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) was also a full participant in practice.