Jordan Mailata will make his second consecutive start at left tackle, replacing injured Jason Peters
The Eagles (1-2-1) will not have veteran receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) (FOX 1:00 PM). Both were listed as out on the Eagles Status report Friday.
Cornerback Avante Maddox is also listed as out.
It was thought Jeffery would play this week but is listed as out because is illness (not COVID-19 related).
The Eagles will be dealing with a fierce Pittsburgh pass rush that is led by linebackers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree.
Jordan Mailata will make his second start at left tackle. It will also be his the second start of his football career.
When Jason Peters went down at the end of the tie with Cincinnati, Mailata, a 6-foot-8, 346 giant former rugby player from Australia drafted in the seventh round in 2017, took over the job.
Against San Francisco, a team missing several starters on defense, Mailata was solid. Pederson was asked if the job was his if he keeps playing well. The coach was also asked how Peters was doing with his foot injury.
"In JP's case, obviously we want to make sure he's 100 percent with the injury that he has," Pederson said. "Look, he's a guy that as you guys know, he's one that we have a maintenance plan with him, as well, during the week, and making sure he's ready to go on game days. He's doing really well in his rehab. Again, no timetable on his return at this time.
"In the case of Jordan Mailata, as long as he plays well, right now, in the near future, it's his job. But, at the same time, we understand that when JP is healthy, that's a decision that we are going to have to make at that particular time. We are focused on this week, getting Jordan ready to go. He's got a handful this week with Bud Dupree over there and T.J. Watt and those guys, so we're focused on that right now."
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The Eagles will no doubt want to see if wide receiver Travis Fulgham is the real thing.
The second-year player out of Old Dominion caught the first two passes of his career in the Birds 25-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
The second catch was Pro Bowl caliber 42-yard touchdown from Carson Wentz that put the Eagles ahead for good in the fourth quarter.
Fulgham said he received a lot of love from old friends, old teammates and Eagles fans all week.
He was asked if was ready to put aside all the hoopla and be ready to held the offensive, devastated with injuries, have success this Sunday.
"It is the same as same as any other week." Fulgham said during his video conference Friday. "Just do my job get open. Whatever plays the coach calls, I'm sure it's the right call and I'll just be at the right spot and when the d-line's coming, I'll be open for Carson, to make the play." *
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Status Report
Out
Friday
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), WR Alshon Jeffery (illness, foot), CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)
Practice Report
Did Not Participate In Practice
Wednesday
LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring), S Rudy Ford (hamstring), T Lane Johnson (ankle), CB Avonte Maddox (ankle), S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)
Thursday
WR Alshon Jeffery (illness), CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)
Friday
DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related – personal), WR Alshon Jeffery (illness), CB Avonte Maddox (ankle)
Limited Participation in Practice
Wednesday
DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related - rest), S Marcus Epps (rib), G Nate Herbig (groin), WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), WR Alshon Jeffery (foot), C Jason Kelce (hip)
Thursday
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), T Lane Johnson (ankle), S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)
Friday
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring)
Full Participation in Practice
Wednesday
WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf)
Thursday
WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf), DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related - rest), S Marcus Epps (rib), G Nate Herbig (groin), C Jason Kelce (hip)
Friday
WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf), S Marcus Epps (rib), G Nate Herbig (groin), T Lane Johnson (ankle), C Jason Kelce (hip), S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)
Follow Al Thompson on Twitter @thompsoniii
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