Mathews, Brooks sidelined; Wentz, Bradford wobbly; slippery Howie

Doug Pederson said running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) and right guard Brandon Brooks (hamstring) are day-to-day. Both missed Friday's indoor workout, part of the buildup to Saturday's first practice with pads at training camp.

"We're anticipating next week sometime getting 'em both back on the field," Pederson said.

Stefen Wisniewski continued to take first-team reps for Brooks. Darren Sproles is the No. 1 running back when Mathews is out.

On the ball

In one drill Friday, two defensive linemen would line up side-by-side, get down into stances, then wait for an assistant stationed behind them to roll a tennis ball between them, past the imaginary line of scrimmage, the ball telling them when to fire out.

"It's just a reaction drill. Defensive line, you've got to move at the first thing you see move," defensive end Connor Barwin said. "So it's just a mental reaction/speed/quick-twitch kind of drill."

Was this helpful for Barwin, who was often in a standup role as a 3-4 outside linebacker?

"I was down (in a stance) a lot last year, I've been down a lot in my career," Barwin said. "But at our position, the first thing and maybe the most important thing is your get-off. Any drill you do where you work your get-off and you work that quick-twitch, you work the reflex, it's going to be a good drill. We do a number of different ones."

A simple twist of fate?

Doug Pederson was the Eagles' quarterbacks coach in 2012 when the team drafted Nick Foles, who was released this week by the Los Angeles Rams. Foles threw 27 touchdown passes with just two interceptions in making the Pro Bowl for the Eagles in 2013.

Pederson was asked Friday how much of a role circumstance plays in a quarterback's success.

"Sometimes, I think you can put a Pro Bowl quarterback on an average team and he becomes average," Pederson said. "It also depends on the talent around you; that really makes or breaks that quarterback.

"Something we did in Kansas City (where Pederson was offensive coordinator the past three seasons under Andy Reid) with Alex (Smith), is surrounding him with talent ... and utilizing the strength of his athleticism and his brain. Very accurate passer; he doesn't turn the ball over. That became a recipe for success for us in Kansas City, and it's just unfortunate in Nick's situation. I think he's a talented guy, but with the right guys around him, he can be a very successful quarterback."

Slick Howie?

Howie Roseman was asked Friday, if he had to fit Sam Bradford's 2017 $22.5 million cap number into his balance sheet, is there any way he could do it?

"No question," said Roseman, who went on to say that he had planned for this scenario. How he makes the numbers work is a mystery, since the Birds already have obligations that put them about $11 million over the projected 2017 cap. Roseman acknowledged this is not a situation the Eagles have ever faced during his tenure.

Asked who has final say over the 53-man roster, Roseman was equally slippery, saying it would be a collaboration. The guess here is that if Roseman and Doug Pederson disagree, Roseman prevails.

Birdseed

Doug Pederson said former Giants wideout Rueben Randle "came back after the gallbladder surgery he had in the spring healthy and ready to go."  ... Friday was kind of a ragged day for the quarterbacks all-around. Sam Bradford's first 11-on-11 pass, a heave down the left sideline with pass rushers in his face, was picked off by Eric Rowe. Carson Wentz definitely had the wobbles, but he made a nice play stepping up to avoid rushers and finding tight end M.J. McFarland crossing to the right side. ... All the young running backs look great now, but when the pads go on Saturday, we'll start to see if they can run through a tackler and whether they can keep the ball secure. And if they can pick up a blitz, something the Eagles and running backs coach Duce Staley have emphasized over the years ... Sunday's 10 a.m. practice at Lincoln Financial Field is one of two that are free and open to the public. ... Howie Roseman indicated he is very interested in getting an extension done with defensive tackle Bennie Logan, who can be a free agent in 2017.