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Eagles Set For Preseason Battle With Packers

By Ed Benkin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The third preseason game is traditionally the dress rehearsal for the regular season. Many of the players on both sides are looking forward to the test....if they actually play.

Chip Kelly chose to keep his rotation a secret when he met with reporters on Thursday. Meanwhile, there are indications Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have the night off on Saturday. Kelly said he planned to meet with his staff after the team went through its Thursday walk-through and finalize his rotation on Friday.

"We go through tomorrow's training session and we finalize it and go from there," said Kelly. "We haven't had a discussion as a staff yet. We have a big meeting this afternoon on how we're going to do it and mix and match everybody."

Sam Bradford is expected to play on Saturday after seeing his first preseason action last weekend. Kelly said he is beyond being cautious with his quarterback in his recovery from a torn ACL. Bradford made it clear he wants to be on the field Saturday night.

"I plan to play," Bradford said. "It's always his (Kelly's) decision. We haven't talked about it. I don't know how much but, yeah, I plan to play."

While Bradford will likely play on Saturday, there is growing speculation his quarterback counterpart in Green Bay will be sitting. The Packers are dealing with injuries on their offensive line, and are also trying to recover from the loss of Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson to a torn ACL. Eagles Linebacker Kiko Alonso was hoping he and his teammates would get a chance to test themselves against one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

"He's one of the best," said Alonso. "It would have definitely been a great test. It's unfortunate."

Regardless of whether Rodgers plays, the Eagles are looking forward to getting their work in. Mark Sanchez will likely join Bradford on the sidelines for the final preseason contest, so Sanchez is eager to get on the field against the Green Bay defense.

"It'll be great," Sanchez said. "Whenever you get your number called, you want to move the team down the field and do the very best with completions and first downs. It's all good practice for the regular season."

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