Will Eagles’ Fletcher Cox and Nigel Bradham be ready for Week 1? | Early Birds

Good morning, Eagles fans! The Birds are through training camp, last week’s scrimmages with the Ravens, and three preseason games. They have, for all intents and purposes, started looking toward the opener on Sept. 8. There are still a few formalities this week: The preseason finale at the New York Jets and final cuts to the 53-man roster on Saturday. But those events are mostly for bubble roster players. Quarterback Carson Wentz and the bulk of the regulars are now beginning preparations for the Redskins. The 2019 season is finally just around the corner.

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— Jeff McLane (earlybirds@inquirer.com)

Doug Pederson was saying one thing, but his voice and body language were telling a different story on Sunday.

Asked about defensive tackle Fletcher Cox’s readiness for the season opener on Sept. 8, the Eagles coach said this on Sunday:

“I’m confident that he’ll be there,” Pederson said. “Listen, everybody is different, but I’m confident, and our goal is to have everybody ready.”

Pederson’s response sounded positive, but hearing it live I got the sense he wasn’t very confident that Cox’s foot injury would be healed in time. And why should he be? The All-Pro hasn’t practiced in weeks. After starting off training camp further along than some had expected, Cox regressed and wasn’t even on the field for an extended period. Pederson said that Cox was just rehabbing inside at the NovaCare Complex, which is likely, but the Eagles certainly would have rather have had him at practice.

Cox injured his foot in the Eagles’ divisional playoff loss to the Saints in January. He had surgery not long after. But there were never guarantees that he would be ready for Week 1, even though Cox has insisted, as recently as last week, that he would.

And maybe he will. But he has yet to start practicing. Linebacker Nigel Bradham has consistently practiced all summer, but he hasn’t been cleared for anything beyond individual drills.

“It’s still the goal to have everybody Week 1,” Pederson said. “But they’re sprinkling in in the walk-throughs this week, and then hopefully we get them all next week.”

Bradham, when asked, hasn’t been as confident about his availability for the opener.

The Eagles have had a rash of foot injuries since last year, the most mysterious being that of Jalen Mills. The cornerback injured his foot against the Jaguars in London in October. Asked about it a week or so later, Pederson said that Mills’ timetable for return was day to day. But his recovery lingered and then a few weeks later Mills was spotted in the team locker room walking around in a boot. Pederson was again evasive when asked about particulars, and then the Eagles finally placed Mills on season-ending injured reserve on Dec. 8.

We still don’t know exactly what kind of injury Mills suffered. He has declined to give specifics. He opened training camp on the physically unable to preform list and has yet to practice. Only recently has he been cleared to do some rehab work outside.

Mills definitely won’t be ready by the opener. The same goes for cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc, who suffered a foot sprain during one of the first practices of camp. That’s four prominent players with foot injuries. It’s this year’s hamstring strain.

CJ, you’re are not the only Eagles fan asking about a possible trade. I’m not sure what qualifies as major, but my guess is you’re focused on acquiring a certain defensive end from Houston. I’m on record as saying that I don’t think the Eagles upgraded their defensive end unit after trading away Michael Bennett and watching Chris Long retire. So I would be on board with bringing Clowney in.

But there’s a question of price. I’d imagine it’ll cost Eagles general manager Howie Roseman at least a second-round draft pick and a pretty good player. Forget about receiver Alshon Jeffery. That isn’t likely to happen. Slot receiver Nelson Agholor would make more sense, but do the Texans really need an inside guy? Agholor is getting paid about $9.5 million, too. Why would the Texans pay that much with no assurances of being able to re-sign him this offseason? I can’t imagine expending the franchise tag on a slot receiver.

I’m getting pretty deep here, but that’s because it’s difficult to see something happening. But you can never count Roseman out of any trade. If he can get a favorable deal and it makes sense for the team, he’s not afraid of pulling the trigger.

But big trades rarely happen at this time of year. There usually has to be some sort of injury (see: Teddy Bridgewater). A minor trade may be more in the offing. But it gets increasingly difficult for teams looking to unload players as the cut-down day nears. Potential partners know that in most circumstances the player that you’re dangling will likely be waived in a few days. If you want to jump a few teams in the waiver wire it might make sense, but we’re talking about bottom-roster talent.

So to answer your question, CJ, it’s unlikely, but never say never.