Jamar Chaney

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Eagles coach Andy Reid uncharacteristically got into a verbal back-and-forth with one of his players when he jawed with Cullen Jenkins on the sideline during the second quarter of Monday night's preseason game against the Patriots. The argument was caught by ESPN cameras and was replayed several times during the telecast. Reid, waving his play card at Jenkins, said something to the defensive tackle, who stood up and got in the coach's face. "It's an emotional game.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - On one field, most of the Eagles practiced. About 150 yards away, at the far end zone of another field, nine Eagles rehabilitated injuries. The latter group ranged from Pro Bowlers such as Jason Babin to roster hopefuls such as Jamel Hamler. Coach Andy Reid suggested earlier in the day that the Eagles are amid the "dog days" of training camp. With more than 10 percent of the roster rehabbing and other players missing from practice, the work with strength and conditioning coaches served as evidence of Reid's claim.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - DeSean Jackson injured his left ankle during Friday afternoon's practice after he was sandwiched between two safeties during seven-on-seven drills. Jackson slowly came to his feet and walked to the trainer's tent. His left ankle was wrapped and he returned to the team, although he did not play any more. When Jackson was asked how he felt while walking to his car after practice, he gave a thumbs-up. Fifteen players missed practice because of injury or illness, but most were minor pulls and spasms.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Not every day is a completely successful day at training camp, not every practice moves DeMeco Ryans closer to where he wants to be with the Eagles, but Thursday was just fine. "It's coming. It's going in the right direction," Ryans said. "And I know because I'm my toughest critic. " Ryans came to the team in an offseason trade to fill what has been a gaping hole at middle linebacker. He brought with him six years of NFL experience, a reputation as a popular team leader, and the standard question marks attached to a veteran who suffered an Achilles tendon injury not that long ago. If he can stay healthy and show enough mobility to remain on the field in passing situations, Ryans is just what the Eagles defense needs - a shot of maturity chased by a pint of attitude.

BETHLEHEM — In the morning, Jamar Chaney was promoted to starting nickel linebacker. In the afternoon, Chaney left practice with a left hamstring injury that was to be MRI'd Thursday night. He joined a growing list of injured Eagles, almost all of them suffering from minor afflictions. Thursday's additions included safety O.J. Atogwe (right groin), wideout Jamel Hamler (right hamstring) and right tackle Todd Herremans (shoulder). Left guard Evan Mathis sat out with an illness and safety Nate Allen and running back LeSean McCoy left the afternoon practice with cramps.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Eagles traded linebackers Moise Fokou and Greg Lloyd to the Colts for cornerback Kevin Thomas and a 2013 conditional seventh-round draft pick. Thomas was drafted in the third round in 2010 by Indianapolis. He missed all of 2010 with a knee injury. He started five of nine games he played for the Colts last season, recording 33 tackles and defending three passes. There were reports out of Indianapolis during the spring that the 6-foot, 192-pound Thomas could challenge for a starting spot in 2012.

THE EAGLES go into training camp this weekend with few starting spots in question. Right now, only two starters seem at all shaky — Brian Rolle at weakside linebacker, who will have to fight off Jamar Chaney, and Kurt Coleman at strong safety, who will be challenged by free-agent signee O.J. Atogwe. You could throw fullback in there, if you deem that a true starting position; the Eagles employed a fullback on only about 16 percent of their snaps last season. The incumbent, Owen Schmitt, departed for Oakland in free agency.

DeMECO RYANS manned the middle of the Eagles' defense for the first time Tuesday, standing in a shaft of light beaming from the heavens that followed Ryans about the NovaCare field, as unicorns frolicked and celestial choirs . . . OK, it really wasn't all that dramatic. Just a guy in short pants and a helmet, wearing jersey No. 59, looking a little bigger than your typical Eagles middle linebacker, at 6-1, 237. Rookie strongside starter Mychal Kendricks stood on one side of Ryans (confirming what had been whispered)

It's very early, but so far Mychal Kendricks has not disappointed. Kendricks, bright and brimming with confidence, made an interception on the first day of rookie camp Saturday and followed up Sunday by breaking up another short throw and racing around the edge and bearing down on the quarterback for what would have been a lightning-quick sack, if hitting was allowed. In other words, he has shown exactly the skills the Eagles hoped they were getting when they drafted the linebacker in the second round.

THIS EAGLES offseason has largely been about giving Juan Castillo the tools to succeed. If the Birds' 2012 defense blows fourth-quarter leads, can't tackle and frequently looks confused, it won't be because of personnel that doesn't match the scheme, or offseason work lost to a lockout, or a lack of size and talent up the gut. There will be only one person to blame. Well, two, actually - if the defense falters, Castillo probably will lose his job the same day Andy Reid bids farewell, since it was Reid who made the former offensive line coach the defensive coordinator, and Reid who kept him in place after last season's wobbles and stumbles.