The first question on the first day of Eagles training camp didn't have to do with Carson Wentz or the new wideouts or even first-round pick Derek Barnett. It had to do with third-year linebacker Jordan Hicks, who won't be ready to go when the full team begins practice on Thursday.
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Instead, he will be limited in practice to start camp after he recently underwent a procedure to fix a broken bone in his hand, according to head coach Doug Pederson. PhillyVoice's Jimmy Kempski originally broke the story of Hicks' hand injury, which was sustained while in Greece for his honeymoon.
On Monday, Pederson confirmed the injury, but wouldn't offer much information about how it happened, only what it meant for one of his defensive leaders moving forward.
"Hand. He had a minor procedure," Pederson said when asked about the former third-round pick. "You'd have to talk to our doctors on what it actually was. He'll be limited to start camp. He's a veteran player, understands his role, so I'm not going to rush him back out there and have him re-injure that thing. At the same time, we'll still want him to go through our individuals, seven-on-sevens, and then just limit him as he gets healthy."
So what exactly is the hand injury that forced him into surgery and will limit him in practice?
"It was [a broken bone in his hand]," Pederson added.
After a pectoral injury cut short his rookie season, Hicks thrived last season in Jim Schwartz defense, recording 85 tackles, five interceptions and a sack in 16 games.
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