BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Andy Reid said on his WIP radio show Monday night that he plans to let the first-team offense and defense play the first quarter Thursday night in the preseason opener against the Ravens at the Linc. The second team will play the second quarter and into the third quarter, and then everybody else will finish out the game.
Theyre all going to have an opportunity to play, he said.
Reid also indicated that Mike Patterson, diagnosed with a brain AVM last week, is not on the brink of returning to activity, no matter what his agent is saying.
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Hes going to be out for a while here, Reid said.
Reid said hes encouraged about Jeremy Maclin, who hasnt practiced yet because of an undisclosed illness. Reid said all tests have been negative and said Maclin is still undergoing more tests.
He wants to jump back in there now, Reid said. Im optimistic. ... We should (know something) in the next little bit here.
Reid said he liked what DeSean Jackson had to say after reporting to Lehigh Monday morning and said hes not concerned that Jackson will not be fully committed to playing for the Eagles while his contract gets sorted out.
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Hes ready to go, Reid said. His agent and our people will do what they do, and he needs to do what he does on the field, and good things will happen.
Reid said Jackson looks like hes in great shape.
He actually put on a few pounds and got stronger, Reid said. He looks good. He says hes in great shape and really cant wait to get out there.
Jackson wont play against the Ravens Thursday but is expected to begin practicing with the Eagles at Lehigh on Saturday morning.
Wilson signs deal
The Eagles added four-year veteran linebacker-defensive end Chris Wilson Monday night, signing Wilson to a one-year contract.
Wilson played in 64 gameswith no startsthe last four years with the Redskins at both outside linebacker and defensive end. He has six career sacks, including four as an undrafted rookie out of Northwood College in 2007.
The Eagles like Wilson as a defensive end, a position that is very crowded right now with starters Trent Cole and Jason Babin, plus Juqua Parker, Darryl Tapp, Philip Hunt, Daniel Teo-Nesheim and rehabbing Brandon Graham. Another veteran defensive end, Victor Abiamiri, is out for the year after tearing his Achilles.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.