Doug Pederson Expects Fletcher Cox, Darren Sproles to Show Next Week, But Not Sure

Fletcher Cox and Darren Sproles have missed the entirety of the Eagles’ voluntary offseason program.
 
Next week is mandatory.
 
And head coach Doug Pederson expects them to be in town, although he isn’t quite sure if either will be.
 
“I think deep down they’re going to be here,” Pederson said. “There’s no indication. That conversation has not been talked about yet. It’s a mandatory situation. It’s the mandatory aspect of the entire offseason program, so I, as the head football coach, expect those guys to be back and be a part of their team and be back in the locker room. It’s important that they’re both here.”
 
While Pederson himself hasn’t been in contact with either player, he said running backs coach Duce Staley has been talking to Sproles, and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman has been in contact with Cox’s agent, Todd France.
 
Cox is entering the fifth-year option season of his rookie deal that will pay him close to $8 million in 2016, but is waiting on a long-term deal. The two sides have been negotiating this offseason, but a deal hasn’t yet been reached.
 
It’s a little unclear why Sproles hasn’t shown. A report surfaced he was staying away from the team while a potential trade for him was sorted out, but Sproles denied the report via his Twitter account.
 
Either way, if Cox or Sproles decide to skip next week, the team can fine both of them $76,580 for missing all three days of the camp, which stars Tuesday. Pederson said he expects them to be in the building Monday for a physical.
 
Pederson wouldn’t speak about the consequences if either skips next week.
 
“Again, that’s a team issue,” Pederson said. “I’m not going to get into what we’re going to do and things like that. We’ll keep those in-house and make those decisions if need be.”

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