Good morning, Eagles fans! Happy Friday. The Eagles practice one more time at the NovaCare Complex today before traveling to Nashville tomorrow for Sunday's battle with the Titans. Head coach Doug Pederson will speak with the media at 10:30 a.m. and we will carry it live. Here's what you need to know in today's Morning Roundup presented by Microsoft starting with the getting the Jay Train back on track.
1. Back And Better
Running back Jay Ajayi was a full participant in yesterday's practice as he finished recovering from a back injury that he suffered Week 2 against Tampa Bay and kept him out of last week's game against the Colts. Ajayi said he fully expects to play against Tennessee:
"I'm excited to play on Sunday and I think it will be a good game for me," Ajayi said. "I wouldn't be out there on the field if I didn't. I'm ready to roll. I'm chomping at the bit to get out there and it's not going to change my mentality at all, my mindset when I run and play, so I'm just excited to be out there."
2. Graham Set To Step Up
As Rodney McLeod continues to miss time with a knee injury, questions are being raised about the depth of the safety position if the Eagles are without McLeod for an extended amount of time. Corey Graham, who was instrumental in last year's run and was brought back during Training Camp this year as a free agent, looks to be the next man up and Eagles' Insider Dave Spadaro writes that Graham is ready to expand his role on the field if necessary:
"We're all ready. This is our job," Graham said. "You have no choice but to be ready. Everybody knows his job and what he's supposed to do, so that there really isn't a big drop-off. We're confident with all of our guys. They all know the system."
3. Titan-Sized Offensive Task
In Week 4, the offense will look to get into a rhythm and settle in with Carson Wentz under center for the second game of his season. They face a tough test doing that against an impressive Tennessee defense. Fran Duffy has more on what the Eagles will have to face on Sunday in his latest Eagle Eye column:
With all of the different looks, there are a lot of things that Jason Kelce, Carson Wentz, and the rest of the unit have to prepare for when it comes to protection responsibilities. Tennessee also loves to work in different stunts along the defensive line. Whether they are "simple" two-man stunts (with the end and tackle or with both tackles), three-man games (like what the Eagles saw from Indianapolis numerous times), or stunts with a defensive lineman and a linebacker. Those games can be some of the most difficult to pick up.
4. Off The Beat: One Tight End, One Wheel
The Eagles' first selection of the 2018 NFL Draft, Dallas Goedert, pumped up fans last Sunday when he caught his first career touchdown on quarterback Carson Wentz's first drive of the 2018 season. Goedert is a talented tight end that can form a dangerous duo with Zach Ertz. But he's in a league of his own when it comes to one special skill: unicycling. Alex Smith has more on Goedert's hidden talent in this week's Off the Beat:
"My grandpa offered 50 dollars to the first grand kid who learned how to ride it," Goedert said. "Me and my other cousin learned it at the exact same time. I was probably like eight or nine years old."
5. First Quarter For Literacy
Last season, among several community initiatives, Chris Long made headlines by donating his entire salary for the 2017 season. Long has not stopped his impressive work in the Philadelphia area and abroad.
Today, The Chris Long Foundation announced the start of the "First Quarter for Literacy" drive in partnership with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in support of Philadelphia's Read By 4th campaign. The drive's purpose is to:
• Put more books into the hands of children in underserved neighborhoods.
• Build excitement and awareness around the role parents and caregivers play in raising readers.
• Call on fans to join in the effort by purchasing books to enable distribution to more kids. provide children in underserved neighborhoods with books to increase literacy and education
Fans can read more about the drive and find out how they can get involved themselves here.
