EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – For the first time in three seasons, quarterback Nick Foles put on an Eagles uniform on gameday and stepped onto the field and felt like, well, an Eagle.
And that was a significant part of what transpired on a night the Eagles fell 16-10 in their preseason finale to the New York Jets.
It was significant because Foles, who went through a rigorous pregame workout throwing the football and then did not play in the game, had been so limited throughout Training Camp because of a strained flexor tendon in his elbow. The injury raised significant concerns among the fans and the media, but the Eagles have felt all along that a good diet of rest and rehabilitation would get Foles right for the regular season.
He said after the game on Thursday that he's going to be in good shape for Week 1 against Washington.
"It's doing great now, and you all saw with me throwing, it's fine," Foles said. "I feel great. The training staff has done an awesome job and I'm getting a lot of mental reps and was able to get out there for a few practices, but we felt it would be better to continue to treat me and continue to get me healthy because the season is right around the corner."
Foles hasn't had a lot of time to work on his chemistry and timing with the receiving corps, but he says he's not concerned, having worked with some of them previously and in the spring as well.
The bottom line for Foles is this: He knows the offense and he said that if he is forced to play this season as Carson Wentz's backup, he will be good to go.
"You would see Nick Foles," he said.
Foles said he will continue to treat the injury as the season goes along. He said, emphatically, that surgery is not an option, and that the injury heals on its own. Foles said that "a lot of throwing athletes have dealt" with the injury and that "it feels great now. The training staff has done a great job."
The Philadelphia Eagles fell to the New York Jets, 16-10, at MetLife Stadium for their final preseason game of 2017.