"I think what the physician wanted to see was how the healing was with his cranium where they took the piece of the skull away to do the procedure," Burkholder said. "He wasn't totally with it. He said he's concerned about some very small situations that he could get into in football."
Robert Spetzler, a renowned neurosurgeon based in Phoenix, performed Patterson's surgery and has been treating him. Burkholder was asked whether he thought the setback could signal the end of Patterson's career.
"I think we're all optimistic that he's going to play again," Burkholder said. "It's just not today."
Patterson will start camp on the Eagles' non-football injury list. The Eagles are fairly stocked at defensive tackle and appeared to address the position in the offseason knowing that there was a chance Patterson would not be ready.
Coach Andy Reid mentioned Antonio Dixon as possibly taking Patterson's starting spot. Derek Landri and top pick Fletcher Cox also will be in the mix to start opposite Cullen Jenkins. The Eagles employ a four-man rotation at defensive tackle, so who starts isn't necessarily of great importance.
Still, the loss of Patterson, a calming locker-room presence and the Eagles' longest-tenured player, should have some effect on the team.
Roster moves
The Eagles acquired defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu from Indianapolis for defensive back D.J. Johnson. Ogbu, a three-year starter at Penn State, spent 2011 on the Colts' practice squad and adds depth to the position in Patterson's absence.
The Eagles also filled the two remaining spots on their roster with former Soul wide receiver Tiger Jones and cornerback Kee-ayre Griffin, a Temple product. Jones, 30, spent four seasons in the Arena Football League and was the AFL's top receiver after leading the Soul in all receiving categories. Griffin is a converted running back who started two seasons in Temple's secondary. He tried out for the Eagles during the spring's rookie minicamp.
Extra points
Safety Colt Anderson, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December, will open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. . . . Tackle Jason Peters, who ruptured an Achilles tendon in March, will start camp on the non-football injury list. Reid did not rule him out for a return this season but said it was "a long shot." . . . The coach said that the following players who were limited or did not participate in the spring should be ready to practice this week: linebacker Jamar Chaney (neck), linebacker Keenan Clayton (sports hernia), tight end Brent Celek (hip), linebacker Moise Fokou (ankle), center Jason Kelce (foot, and defensive end Vinny Curry (ankle). . . . Reid said that Mychal Kendricks will open camp as the starting strong-side linebacker. The rookie ended spring practices as the starter.
Contact Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @Jeff_McLane.
