Banged-up: Eagles Scale Back Wednesday Practice

PHILADELPHIA - In a somewhat surprising development, the Eagles are so banged-up early in the season that they've shifted to late-season mode and canceled their Wednesday practice, typically the most extensive of the week, instead instituting a scaled-back walk-through which is closed to the media.

Coach Doug Pederson instituted a similar schedule late last season in Weeks 16 and 17 and Philadelphia was successful with it.

With the calendar working against the Eagles, Pederson is expected to be without his top two receivers, Alshon Jeffery (calf) and DeSean Jackson (abdomen), for Sunday's game against Detroit and the trip a week from tomorrow to Green Bay for Week 4.

Defensive tackle Tim Jernigan (foot) and running back Corey Clement (shoulder) were also lost for some time in Atlanta on Sunday night and tight end Dallas Goedert aggravated a preseason calf injury and could also be sidelined against the Lions.

“I mean it’s a couple things,” Pederson explained when discussing the rare early-season practice-schedule shift. “With the guys that are a little nicked up that have a chance to play in this football game I want them to get them the reps in practice. Then two, we have some young guys who might have to play and they’re also servicing the defense or the offense, so this way allows everybody to still practice and maintain their focus and get the work done that we need to get done today.”

Anything something out of the ordinary happens in Philadelphia, the conspiracy theories start swirling around Carson Wentz because of the quarterback's injury history.

Pederson insisted the change had nothing to do with Wentz, who took some hellacious hits against the Falcons and was grimacing while holding his ribs at one point and also briefly checked for a head injury at another.

When asked if Wentz would’ve been able to practice without the change, Pederson was either generally surprised or went over the top protecting his star.

“Carson? Yeah,” Pederson said, agreesing with the assesment that Wentz is fine.

Another issue could be Zach Ertz, who also took a huge shot to the ribs in Atlanta and was briefly seen walking somewhat gingerly at the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday

Philadelphia already promoted tight end Alex Ellis from the practice squad on Monday.