Safety Picture Still Cloudy Heading Into Preseason Finale

The fight for the final starting safety spot could come down to the wire.

Chip Kelly told reporters Monday that the starters will not play  in the preseason finale against the Jets. That likely includes Patrick Chung, who has nailed down a starting job. As for the other post?

“I think we’ll get some work depending on how Billy [Davis] wants to rotate those guys back there, so we may get an opportunity to see them” said Kelly. “I think Pat may not go on Thursday but the other guys will go. Trying to finalize it that way.”

Nate Allen has spent the most time opposite Chung in camp, though rookie Earl Wolff rotated in with the ones against the Jaguars.

“They’ve both had real good plays and they have both had plays that they want back,” said Kelly of Allen and Wolff. “It’s a work in progress at the safety position. I’m not going to sit here and say either one of those guys are playing at an All-Pro level right now. They both know what they have to work on. I’ve seen improvement from Game 1 to Game 2 to Game 3 but it’s going to be a work in progress for those guys.”

The Eagles decided to part with Kenny Phillips Monday. The former Giants standout just couldn’t stay on the field. Kelly noted that they rely on their safeties to play a big role on special teams, and Phillips wasn’t providing help in that area.

Given the rash of injuries at cornerback, a starter or two might have to play at that position Thursday, Kelly said. Brandon Hughes and Curtis Marsh are both sidelined with fractured hands, and Eddie Whitley(waived/injured) is no longer with the team. He suffered a knee injury against the Jaguars.

“We are concerned with three of those guys being out,” said Kelly. “That’s where postgame on Thursday will be a big day in terms of what becomes available (on the open market) but our whole thought is we have to play with what we’ve got. That is a concern when you have three guys at the same position out right now.”

Sounds like the Eagles will be on the lookout for a corner or two as the teams cut down their rosters.

Nick Foles will start against the Jets. He and Matt Barkley will get the majority of the work Thursday.

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