PHILADELPHIA -- That’s one solution for the Philadelphia Eagles' logjam at inside linebacker.
The Eagles have three players for two starting positions. All three of those players are inactive for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks have been held out of practice for most of the past week.
Emmanuel Acho and Brad Jones will start at inside linebacker.
Alonso has not practiced since being concussed during the Eagles’ practice at Lincoln Financial Field Aug. 9. Kendricks has said he is not injured, but defensive coordinator Bill Davis cited some “nitpicky” problems. Ryans’ workload is being monitored as he returns from the torn Achilles tendon that ended his 2014 season last October.
Safeties Earl Wolff and Jerome Couplin are also inactive for the Eagles. So is tight end Zach Ertz, who had surgery Friday to repair a “core muscle injury.”
Quarterback Sam Bradford also did not dress for the game, although he was in uniform for pregame warmups.
The Colts had 10 players listed as inactive, notably wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, outside linebacker Robert Mathis and cornerback Vontae Davis.
Andrew Gardner was announced as the starting right guard for the Eagles. The team’s unofficial depth chart lists four players, including Gardner, as first-team right guards. The Eagles’ offensive line was the same as it was for the end of the 2014 regular season with the exception of left guard, where Allen Barbre replaces Evan Mathis.