For Fletcher Cox and 'Big V,' Eagles' short week adds pressure

The Eagles are trying to get Halapoulivaati Vaitai ready to start at right tackle in a week almost devoid of prep time, while also trying to evaluate whether Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox might be healthy enough to return from his calf strain.

In both cases, it seemed unfortunate that the team's only Thursday game of the season happened to fall this week, at Carolina. Vaitai had one full practice – Tuesday's – to work with the rest of the offensive line on how to fend off  Carolina's pass rush, which has accumulated 17 sacks in five games. And it seems very likely that Cox could do more to ensure he is healed if he could get in a full week of practice; he was listed as a full participant Tuesday, and a source said the team will make a decision after seeing how he feels Wednesday.

Every team plays a Thursday game, and this is the week for the Eagles and the Panthers, who also are trying to figure out how to navigate injuries. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday he doesn't expect safety Kurt Coleman or center Ryan Kalil to be able to play, but his two starting corners, James Bradberry and Daryl Worley, should, along with wideout Devin Funchess, though all three sat out practice.

Vaitai came in for 34 snaps Sunday when Lane Johnson sat down at halftime after suffering a concussion. But the Eagles led 21-7 at halftime and 31-7 by the end of the third quarter; it wasn't the most arduous test.

Starting in a loud road environment against a 4-1 Panthers team will be tougher.

"He's ready. He's going to be good," left tackle Jason Peters said.

Vaitai, 24, was not available during the time reporters were allowed in the locker room. It seems almost like the football gods are arranging selective redemption appearances this season, chances to make up for the rough start to his rookie year of 2016.

Vaitai first stepped in for Johnson a year ago this week, in a loud road game at Washington, the first installment of Johnson's 10-game suspension. Vaitai did not fare well, giving up two quick sacks as the Eagles fell behind and ultimately lost, 27-20.

Vaitai got better as the season went on. Now he is the swing tackle, playing behind Johnson and 35-year-old Jason Peters.This figures to be the most extensive playing time Vaitai has seen since this year's opener at Washington, when Peters suffered a minor groin injury, and Vaitai spent 45 snaps on the left side, in the very stadium where he'd been given such a rough introduction to the NFL. The Eagles won, 30-17, and though Vaitai wasn't Peters, he held his own.

Now, it's Week 6 again, as it was for that memorable debut a year ago, and Vaitai will be starting for Johnson again, though not in Washington.

"I think he's just more confident knowing the calls, knowing the guys he's working with, knowing exactly what he's coached to do," offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. "He's had success against some good opponents and learned from his failures. And I just think that 'Big V' has been playing more aggressive this year from training camp on, I just see an aggressiveness in his play that I like."

Right guard Brandon Brooks said Vaitai "played well with Lane being out this past Sunday. We have confidence in him."

Several locker stalls away, Cox was expressing confidence in the players who have been making up for his absence in victories at the Chargers and at home against the Cardinals. Defensive end Brandon Graham and the other usual starter at d-tackle, Tim Jernigan, seem to have turned their play up a notch.

"I really don't think it's a dropoff … Timmy and BG and those guys have really been taking over.," Cox said. "You can't say enough about those guys in that room. Vinny [Curry] got his first sack last week, Beau [Allen] got his the week before."

Cox didn't issue any declarations about playing on Thursday. Given that he just started practicing again after a two-week absence, and that the Eagles don't play again after this until Monday, Oct. 23 against Washington, one would guess Cox and the medical staff would have to really be convinced he is 100 percent before letting him make the trip.

Cox wouldn't say if he expected to fly with the Eagles to Charlotte Wednesday.

"It felt good out there today, just to get out to practice and move around a little bit. I haven't been on the field in a couple of weeks," he said. "I'm not a doctor, I'm not a trainer. Those guys have been doing a really good job of treating the injury and trying to get me ready to play a game."

Cox, signed for six years and $102.5 million last year, had played in 82 of a possible 83 Eagles games before suffering the calf injury.

"It's always hard, man. I think I missed one game, it was my rookie year; I had a concussion," he said. "I've never had an injury like this that stopped me from playing a football game."