Rookie quarterback Nick Foles was impressive in his first NFL action, as he threw two long touchdown passes in the Eagles’ 24-23 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
Foles will get even more of a chance to show what he can do -- No. 2 QB Mike Kafka won’t be able to play for two-to-three weeks after it was discovered he fractured a bone in his left hand against the Steelers.
That means two-to-three more weeks Foles can show the coaches what he can do with first- and second-team teammates.
“He’s progressing,’’ coach Andy Reid said. “He did some nice things. I mentioned (after the game) about keeping your eyes down the field on the one long ball to wide receiver Damaris Johnson where he had to move and then make the throw. That just came very natural to him. He felt the pressure, he scooted to the right, kept his eyes downfield, knew he had the receiver and gave him a catchable ball.’’
Foles didn’t know what to expect in his first game action with the Eagles. He said he was jittery, but settled down. The extra snaps he’ll get in the next couple of weeks will help him settle down even more.
“When you get your opportunities in this league you have to take advantage of them,’’ Foles said. “My goal from Day 1 was to learn every day and improve every day and that’s still my goal.”
Jenkins moves to end of the line: The Eagles have plenty of defensive ends, but when they needed somebody to replace injured Jason Babin against the Steelers, they looked inside to DT Cullen Jenkins.
Reid said he wanted to play Jenkins more on the outside last year to help shore up the Eagles’ shaky run defense, but Jenkins was new to the team -- he signed with the Eagles as a free agent from the Packers -- and the Eagles decided playing for a new team was enough without Jenkins having to learn a new position, as well.
“It gives you a big, strong guy in there,’’ Reid said. “We think we’ve got some pretty good defensive tackles inside and we want to give him an opportunity out there to play a little defensive end. He did some of that in Green Bay and he was effective with it. He’s very comfortable there and he plays well there.”
Jarrett needs a jolt to keep job: Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett had trouble getting on the field last year as a rookie, even though the Eagles expected more from their second-round draft pick from Temple.
Still, the lockout meant Jarrett didn’t have an offseason program with his new team and he fell behind and never caught up. Well, it’s a new year and he still hasn’t caught up.
Jarrett has struggled throughout camp and he struggled a lot against the Steelers, when he fanned on an open-field tackle attempt and then blew a coverage assignment that gave up a big play.
“We all saw it,’’ Reid said. “He can work on his angles and he can work on the tackling part and those are things that he did very well in college. I think it’s just a matter of more snaps, just continuing to play and you know the problem, so go ahead and fix it. I think he’ll do that.”
“It’s frustrating when you don’t play well,’’ he said. “I know I need to play better and I will.”
This and that: DE Phillip Hunt, who two sacks vs. Steelers, is getting reps with the first team for Jason Babin (thigh). Hunt is third team on depth chart. DE Trent Cole (shoulder) and TE Brent Celek (knee) practiced in full pads today after sitting out Thursday's exhibition vs. Steelers. With Jenkins (hamstring) sidelined, first-round draft pick Fletcher Cox is getting a chance to run with the first team. The Eagles signed WR Brian Hernandez of Utah, who was in the Redskins' camp. He also played in the UFL. To make room, DT John Gill was released.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.
