Eagles notes: Beau Allen practices for first time since April injury

Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen practiced Sunday for the first time this summer after missing five months with a pectoral injury suffered in April. He was activated from the non-football injury list and is in line to play Thursday against the New York Jets in the preseason finale.

"We kind of had a plan, sticking to it all along," Allen said. "Here I am, ready to play. …I'm a first-things-first kind of guy. I'd like to practice first and see how everything goes from there. See how everything feels before that game on Thursday."

Before Allen's injury, he was set to compete for a starting job following Bennie Logan's exit. Tim Jernigan has since secured that job, and Allen is back to being a rotational defensive tackle. But the Eagles can use the size and experience of Allen, who has been a solid lineman for the Eagles since 2014. Allen, 25,  played 16 games in all three of his seasons with the Eagles, including five career starts. However, he did not know where he'll fit into the rotation. He'll likely be the third defensive tackle.

"I've played in a lot of games here and I'm going to play in a lot of games in the future," Allen said. "I'm excited to be back on the practice field and part of the rotation. We'll address that all later, I guess. I'm not really worried about that."

He expects to return to form quickly. Allen has been active working with the strength staff during training camp, and he said he's in shape for the season. Coach Doug Pederson said the Eagles are taking it slow with Allen because he hasn't done football work in months.

Allen is entering the final year of his rookie contract. In March, the Inquirer reported he was in talks about a contract extension. No deal was reached.

"March was a long time ago," Allen said. "We'll see. I see myself as a talented defensive tackle and I think the Eagles see that, too. But I have to prove myself every day."

 Cornerback acquired

The Eagles obtained cornerback Dexter McDougle from the New York Jets on Sunday in exchange for safety Terrence Brooks, adding  depth to cornerback while removing one player from a crowded safety position.

McDougle, 26, was a 2014 third-round pick by the Jets. He played in 20 career games with no starts. He has seven career tackles and no interceptions. The former Maryland standout went to the same high school and college as Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith.

"He's played inside and outside," Pederson said when asked about McDougle's playing slot cornerback. "That's something that we'll monitor and we'll watch when he gets here."

McDougle missed his rookie season with a torn ACL. He was waived before last season, joined the Jets' practice squad, and eventually was promoted to the active roster. The speedy cornerback is 5-10 and 195 pounds. He will try to make a roster still unsettled at cornerback. Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, and Rasul Douglas are locks to make the  team, but the remaining spots seem open.

Brooks was claimed off waivers by the Eagles after final cut-down day last season. He played 11 games and was competing for a depth spot at safety. The roster became tougher to make after the Eagles signed veteran Corey Graham earlier this month. The Eagles are going to keep Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Graham, and Chris Maragos. The question is whether they keep another safety — it could be Jaylen Watkins, who has moved between safety and cornerback this summer. But safety was more crowded for the Eagles than cornerback, which factored into Sunday's trade.

 Extra Points

The Eagles practiced Sunday without cornerback Ron Brooks, tight end Brent Celek, quarterback Nick Foles, linebacker Nate Gerry, linebacker Najee Goode, defensive end Brandon Graham, linebacker Jordan Hicks, cornerback Sidney Jones, cornerback Jalen Mills, wide receiver Paul Turner, and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao.

[Eagles' Nick Foles still 'day-to-day' as roster cutdown looms]

Some players were resting; others have injuries. Only Jones has an injury that Pederson said will extend into the regular season. The Eagles are not required to release an injury report until next week.

Offensive lineman Josh Andrews practiced Sunday for the first time in weeks after recovering from a hand injury.