When Kiko Alonso quickly exited the field on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, there were initially rumors and speculation that his season was lost. Fast-forward a few days and his head coach isn’t even ready to rule him out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Chip Kelly spoke to reporters at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday, and he said the Eagles are still uncertain of what Alonso is capable of physically.
"He has a sprained knee so we're evaluating him this week in terms of what he can do and can't do,” Kelly said.
On Tuesday, defensive coordinator Bill Davis said that he didn’t expect Alonso to play this weekend. The 25-year-old inside linebacker missed the entire 2014 season with the Buffalo Bills after tearing the same ACL in his left knee. He was traded to the Eagles in the offseason in exchange for star running back LeSean McCoy.
Kelly, who coached Alonso at Oregon, wouldn’t go as far as Davis about the former Oregon star’s status for Sunday’s game.
"I don't know that either,” Kelly said when asked if Alonso would be out against the Jets. “I just know that he’s got a sprained knee. I don’t know if he’ll be out this week.”
Kelly also said he was also unaware of a report that stated Alonso is going to Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion, which is always a scary proposition.
The Eagles defense took its fair share of hits last week, as fellow inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) and defensive end Cedric Thornton (hand) also suffered injuries that could cause both players to miss about a week or so. According to Kelly, neither player practiced on Wednesday.
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