Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Thursday 16 augusT 2018

Eagles face Patriots again, this time in preseason

By The Associated Press
It’s not exactly a Super
Bowl rematch, especially in
the preseason.
But the Philadelphia Eagles
will face the New England
Patriots on Thursday night
for the first time since the
Eagles won their first Super
Bowl with a 41-33 victory in
February in Minneapolis.
And just like at the Super
Bowl, Carson Wentz will
miss the game as he recov-
ers from a torn ACL and LCL
in his left knee. Wentz ex-
pects to participate in 11-
on-11 drills next week, but
it’s uncertain whether he’ll
be ready for the season
opener. The Eagles host the
Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 6.
Nick Foles is supposed to
make his preseason debut
at New England after sitting
out last week’s game. He
had missed a few practices
because of muscle spasms
in his neck and shoulder
area.
Tom Brady, the reigning
league MVP, also will make Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) and his teammates move to their next drill during NFL football training camp in
his first start of the exhibition Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018.
schedule after sitting out Associated Press
last week’s game. while figuring to be the odd He’s slotted as the start- gie Gilbert is doing his best Josh McCown or Teddy
“We’ve got a big one man out in the four-man ing strong safety and the to try to alleviate concerns Bridgewater to start. But the
against the Eagles and we race for three spots. Steelers are hopeful his sure about depth at the position smart money is on Darnold,
know the challenge they Dobbs played well last tackling will help a unit that behind Perry and Clay Mat- who impressed in his pre-
present,” Brady said Tues- week against Philadelphia, struggled making plays in thews. He’s trying to build season debut against the
day. “So, (we’re) trying to leading a two-minute drill the open field last season. on his productive night in Falcons.
put a lot into it and see if that resulted in a touch- RODGERS RETURNS? the preseason opener last WASHINGTON LOOKS TO
we can obviously get a lot down at the end of the first Aaron Rodgers is expected week against Tennessee. GROUND GAME
out of it. You know, it’s a big half. He’ll get an opportu- to get the start and see his Gilbert got extensive work Alex Smith is expected to
test. They’re a good team nity to face Green Bay’s first action in a preseason with the starting defense in start for the Redskins after
and we’re going to have to starting defense, which game. In fact, it will be the practice earlier this week. sitting out exhibition open-
play well.” should provide a significant first time that the two-time TIME FOR SAM? er at the New England Pa-
Elsewhere on Thursday step up in class. NFL MVP will play in any Coach Todd Bowles isn’t triots.
night, it’s the New York Jets Rudolph, a third-round pick game at home since Sept. saying so, but rookie Sam But the focus will be on
at Washington and Pitts- in the 2018 draft, looked sol- 28 against the Chicago Darnold could start at the running game, where
burgh at Green Bay. id at times while playing the Bears. He broke his collar- quarterback for the New Washington has to find a
What to look for around the entire second half against bone on Oct. 15 at Minne- York Jets against the Wash- starter among Rob Kelley,
league: the Eagles. His goal will be sota, and his only appear- ington Redskins. Samaje Perine and others
STEELERS YOUNG QBS GET- holding onto the ball. He ance after that was on Dec. Darnold took most of the to replace the injured Derri-
TING A CHANCE lost a fumble that was re- 17 at Carolina. Whether or snaps with the first-team of- us Guice. Kelley is the front-
The Steelers are giving covered by a teammate in how much Rodgers goes fense at joint workouts with runner and should get the
young quarterbacks Josh his pro debut but also led against the Steelers may the Redskins and drew rave first carries.q
Dobbs and Mason Rudolph the Steelers to three scor- depend on the availability reviews from Washington
an extended look against ing drives. of dependable left tackle defender Josh Norman.
the Packers. The game is also a home- David Bakhtiari, who came “Someone asked me about
Ben Roethlisberger and pri- coming of sorts for Pitts- back to practice this week him the other day and I was
mary backup Landry Jones burgh safety Morgan Bur- following an ankle injury. like, yeah, it’s like whatever
get the night off in Green nett. The Steelers signed the “I haven’t played at home — just a guy,” Norman said.
Bay. Roethlisberger is in veteran in the offseason af- for a long time,” Rodgers “Then you go out here and
the concussion protocol. ter eight years in Green Bay said. “So, it will be nice to you see him make these
Right guard Marcus Gilbert to shore up a revamped get out on Lambeau.” throws and I’m like, all right,
said Tuesday that Roethlis- secondary. Burnett’s first GET TO THE QB that’s not so much of a col-
berger rolled out and ran camp in Pittsburgh has There are snaps available lege-level throw. He’s put-
into him as he blocked line- been uneven because of a at outside linebacker with ting them on the money.”
backer Keion Adams. hamstring injury that forced Nick Perry still waiting to get Bowles said all three of his
Dobbs is likely auditioning him to wait to put on the clearance to return from an QBs need to be ready,
for another job elsewhere pads. ankle injury. Reserve Reg- leaving the door open for