PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As of Thursday morning, it was still unclear how much Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is going to play starters in the preseason finale against the New York Jets on Friday.
He hasn't done much of that in the first two preseason games.
"Every guy is a case-by-case scenario," Sirianni said before Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets in New Jersey,
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was suddenly scratched before last Thursday's 35-0 home field loss to the Patriots, has only 10 plays in preseason exhibitions this summer. Because Hurts didn't play last week because of a stomach illness, three-fifths of his offensive line also sat out of the game. The entire starting defensive line didn't play last week and neither did cornerback Darius Slay.
This is the first Eagles preseason with only three games. Traditionally in modern times, there have been four, and the third has been considered a dress rehearsal for the regulars. Now, No. 3 is the finale, seprated from the Sept. 12 opener in Atlanta by two weeks.
"Pardon me for sounding old fashioned," Hall of Fame football writer Ray Didinger said on 94WIP this week, "but I think the way to get ready to play NFL football is to practice hard and play guys in real games. I mean, practicing hard is one thing, but you know, you gotta play games."
Sirianni has spoken glowingly about the value of joint practices, insisting they are "game-like." The Eagles have had four of them: two against the Patriots, and two with the Jets.
In fact, he suggested the four practices and three preseason games amount to "seven preseason games in my mind."
Defensive end Brandon Graham defended the approach.
"He just trying to make sure we get to Week 1," Graham said, "'cause, you know, in the past, injuries have happened for this team. And so you gotta take a different approach."
Also there abundant speculation that the front office has a say in preseason playing time as well. Sirianni did acknowledge those decisions are made collaboratively.
The quality of football through most of the first two Eagles preseason games has been difficult to watch. According to many reporters, the team has performed better than its opponents in the joint practices -- but most fans don't get to see that.
In time, we will know how much preseason game action each Eagles regular will have. And then, we will see whether that has an effect on their performance in Atlanta, when their record is at stake.
The Eagles preseason finale against the New York Jets is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at MetLife Stadium.