"He touched a lot of people," Cox said.
Now that offseason practices have concluded, Cox will go back to Mississippi to be with his family again but said Thursday's return to work took his mind off the sad events.
"Just being back out here with the team and everybody just smiling and just getting back in it . . . I like to smile, and I like to have a lot of fun," he said. "Even when I went around his mom, the first thing we did was just smile at each other."
No contract problems
Cox, the Eagles' only unsigned draft pick, said he hopes to have his contract ironed out "soon" but couldn't get more specific than that.
"It won't be a problem," he said when asked if he had any concern about being signed by training camp.
Jackson: crucial year
As the Eagles wrapped up the last of their offseason practices, DeSean Jackson looked ahead to a season that will be critical for the future of the franchise and many of its biggest players.
"We know how crucial this year is for us," Jackson said. He didn't want to look back on last year but said, "We have to live with what's in front of us and what's at stake. I think everybody understands that."
The Eagles are off until rookies report to training camp July 22, followed by veterans July 25. Jackson said the team has already worked hard this offseason.
"As long as we're doing that . . . I think at the end of the year we'll be the last team standing," Jackson said.
Jackson was asked if he would be willing to return punts, and said he would, though the team has several rookies they are looking at for the job.
"Whatever it is that they need me to do, that's what I'll do," Jackson said.
Injuries
Special teams ace Colt Anderson won't be ready for the start of training camp but is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, coach Andy Reid said Thursday. Defensive tackle Mike Patterson might be ready but needs to be cleared by his doctor after having brain surgery. Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry, who missed all three days of the team's minicamp due to an ankle injury, will be healed for the start of camp, Reid said.
Two added
The Eagles signed defensive end Frank Trotter and linebacker Ryan Rau, who each had tryouts with the team this week. Their roster now stands at 89, one shy of the maximum. Trotter is not related to former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214 or jtamari@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @JonathanTamari.
