Head coach Brian Daboll

DABOLL: Short week here. We've got a lot of meetings, a lot of walkthroughs. We'll continue to have that over the next two days and get ready to play Philadelphia. A 4-1 team, playing good football, had a lot of good games offensively. (Eagles quarterback Jalen) Hurts, he's a winner. Been a winner his entire life. (Eagles running back) Saquon (Barkley), the two receivers they've got, dynamic receivers on the perimeter. Bookend tackles. A very good offense. They can run it, they can throw it, so it'll be work cut out for us defensively. (Eagles defensive coordinator) Coach (Vic) Fangio, he's done this a long time. Has a lot of good football players. (Eagles defensive tackle) Jalen Carter, it starts there at the inside defensive tackles. Hard man to block. (Eagles defensive tackle) Jordan Davis, another one. Really good young defensive backs that they have that are premier, I'd say, defensive backs in this league already in the second year. It'll be a challenging game. Looking forward to it, but got a lot of work to do here relative to our jog-throughs over the next two days. Spent a lot of time doing that, had extra meeting time. You cram a lot in in a short week.

Injury-wise, (wide receiver Darius) Slayton would not practice today if we were having a normal practice. (Offensive lineman Jermaine) Eluemunor would not, (linebacker Demetrius) Flannigan-Fowles, and (linebacker Swayze) Bozeman. So we'll see where those guys are at by the end of the week.

Q: How is (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart)? He was on the injury report. Will he be good for Thursday?

DABOLL: Yeah, he'll be fine.

Q: Will (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.) do more today?

DABOLL: Well, we're doing a jog-through. If we were practicing, he would do more, yeah. I'm hopeful for Tracy.

Q: What about Slayton and Eluemunor? Does not being able to practice today put them as long shots, would you say?

DABOLL: I'd say we'll take it all the way up to the end like you usually do on short weeks. See where those guys are at, what they can do.

Q: Jaxson's hamstring, is that from before, or is this something new that came up?

DABOLL: He'll be okay.

Q: How do you work the balance between Tracy, if he can play, and (running back) Cam (Skattebo)? You haven't really had both going at the same time.

DABOLL: Again, we'll see where Tracy's at. Hopefully he'll be able to do something on Thursday night. We use both of them. We use all three of them.

Q: You're obviously very familiar with Saquon, what he did last year. His numbers are certainly down this year. He carried the ball six times last week. Do you look at that and say, there's something there? Or do you say, no, it's Saquon?

DABOLL: I look at their offense and they have premier skill players, a good offensive line and an exceptional quarterback. So whether they want to throw it to (Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith) Smitty or (Eagles wide receiver) A.J. (Brown), that's a challenge. They want to hand it off to Saquon, that's a challenge. (Eagles tight end Dallas) Goedert, a tight end, they've got a good roster, a lot of good players, and he's one of them.

Q: How much would you expect after a game with six carries that he's going to get a lot in this game?

DABOLL: I think you've got to prepare the best you can. You don't know how they're going to play. Obviously, they played a certain way last week. They played a little bit differently, I'd say, weeks before that. But stopping the run will always be important. I'm sure they want to get him the ball as many times as they can. I'm sure they want to get A.J. the ball as many times as they can, Smitty the ball as many times as they can. Goedert, I mean, they've got a lot of good football players. Whatever they choose to do is what they're going to do.

Q: There's been a lot of talk down there about A.J.'s usage so far this year, and lack of targets, lack of yards. Do you pay any attention to that where there might be a more concerted effort to get him the ball? Or you just kind of can't focus on that at all?

DABOLL: You watch all the games, and you watch him when he's out there get open. Big, strong, fast, has good hands, can run any route you want him to run. I'm sure they can throw him the ball as many times as they want. That means Saquon doesn't get it. Or give it to Saquon, and A.J. doesn't get it. There's one ball. They're all really good players. Smitty, I've been around Smitty. I think he's an exceptional receiver, too. I think, sure, whatever they want to do or think they need to do, that's what they'll do. You have to watch the tape. A.J.'s open a lot. Give it to Saquon, he's got productive yards. You can run a zone read or throw it to Smitty, there's another thing. There are a lot of weapons, I would say, on that offense, and whatever they choose to do is what they do.

Q: What have you seen from (offensive lineman) Marcus (Mbow), in the event that Jermaine is not able to go? How has he looked?

DABOLL: He's done a good job. He does a good job, knows his stuff, is on top of his stuff. So we'll see how it goes. I think Jermaine will be okay.

Q: When you look at guys, young guys, I'm thinking Jaxson and Cam specifically, all the work you put in pre-draft, once they get here, the time you spend. There's a difference, though, to see how guys are going to react to adversity, as opposed to maybe a Darius Slayton, who you've been with for years now. What have you seen from Jaxson and Cam over the last 48 hours? It seemed like they took Sunday on their shoulders, took responsibility for it. How have they responded?

DABOLL: They're true competitors. I love that they're here. I include (linebacker) Abdul (Carter) in there, (defensive lineman Darius Alexander) DA, a lot of the young guys that are playing. They all have the right makeup. I have a lot of confidence in all those guys.

Q: You mentioned Abdul, his first five games here, what have you seen?

DABOLL: He's played a number of spots. I think he's been productive in terms of getting pressure, getting into the backfield. He's a hard guy to block. He's had a number of pressures on the quarterback. He's smart. Again, he's played a number of different spots for us. Right mindset. Good young player.

Q: Is there sort of a next step to him making impact, splashy stat plays? Sacks, tackles for loss, turnovers?

DABOLL: I don't really think he's got a limit in terms of his ability. Again, getting pressure on the quarterback a number of different ways, dropping into coverage if we need him to, playing inside linebacker if we need him to play. A true team player and a very good young player.

Q: The tush push is a big weapon for them. You guys voted against it. What was your basis to vote to ban that?

DABOLL: We're just getting ready for it. They do a number of things off of it now. Been productive for them. Again, there's only walkthroughs right now, but we've got to do a good job trying to defend it.

Q: Young quarterbacks, it's often said the tight end is their best friend. What are you seeing looking at Jaxson and (tight end) Theo (Johnson)? How is that working so far? How are you seeing Jaxson and Theo connecting?

DABOLL: Well, I'd say for any rookie quarterback, someone that can get open is one of their better friends, whether it's a slot, whether it's a receiver, whether it's a running back. They have a good relationship, I'd say, off the field. I think they've got a lot of confidence in one another. I know Jaxson trusts Theo, as he does (tight end Daniel Bellinger) Belly. So, we'll try to keep that going and get some other guys too.

Q: Do you have to make any roster moves at receiver because Slayton is likely out?

DABOLL: Well, let's see where Slay is at. If Slay can't go, then we'll probably do something here. But I just want to see where he's at here in the next couple of days.

Q: Internal, you'll do something?

DABOLL: Yeah, probably.

Q: You mentioned you felt good about Eluemunor. You seem like you feel good about Tracy. Do you have those same feelings about Slayton, or not sure yet?

DABOLL: I'd say it's pretty – we've only got a couple days here. We're going to give him all the way until the end. But if he can't go, he can't go. And if he can, great.

Q: Does the intensity or need for a win in the division continue to rise? You're already 0-2 in the division.

DABOLL: Yeah, big game. Big game against a division opponent at home, Thursday night, against a team that's a really good football team, 4-1. We're going to have to be locked in and ready to play good football.

Q: Is there anything about a rookie quarterback playing his first division game? It's just the next game for him, but you hope he's going to be here for a while and have to play these guys twice a year for a long time.

DABOLL: A lot of firsts for Jaxson. Short week, division game, we've got to get him ready to go.

Q: What did you think of Skattebo clapping for new gloves after the fumble? Did you have a problem with that? Did you review that at all?

DABOLL: Clapping for new gloves?

Q: He was yelling to the trainers, like, 'Get me new gloves.'

DABOLL: Skatt's a competitive guy. I know he takes that one to heart, as you've asked. Do a good job of protecting the ball. I've got a lot of faith that he will.

Q: You don't have an opinion on that?

DABOLL: Just keep on working ball security.

Q: When you guys started Dart the first game against the Chargers, the offense looked different. It was a bit of a change from the way that it looked with (quarterback Russell Wilson) Russ. Now that there's been two games of the offense and additional film out there, I imagine some teams are going to be more prepared for that style. How much do you change and adapt what you're doing with Jaxson now as the weeks go on?

DABOLL: I think you do it every week relative to who you're playing. As he plays more, there's truth to that. There's more tape out there. There's more studying from coordinators, from players, so you're constantly trying to evolve what you're doing.

Q: Can you add more?

DABOLL: Well, it's a short week right now.

Q: I mean in general.

DABOLL: Right now, I'm focused on this week against the Eagles, which is a short week. We've been at it pretty good here, and we'll do the things we need to do to try to be successful this week.

Q: The last couple of weeks in the league, with guys dropping the ball before they get to the end zone. Are you surprised that still happens? And as a coach, do you show that? Obviously you don't want to see that.

DABOLL: Yeah, we have a tape each week, usually Saturday mornings, from plays around the league. A variety of things, situations, challenges, penalties, decisions. We go through a tape on Saturday morning, try to cover our bases with things that have happened throughout the league so that it doesn't happen to us.

Q: Is it safe to say a guy dropping a ball is something that every time that happens, you show it?

DABOLL: Yeah, I'm pretty sure probably every team does that, yeah.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart

Q: You talk a lot after the game about being a leader of the offense and everything. I'm curious what that process has been like for you. Because two weeks ago, you were the young guy not playing, and now obviously you're front and center. How have you gone about taking on that role?

DART: I honestly feel like I kind of take it pretty naturally. I've played a lot of football in my college career. I had a lot of games in different places at two different schools. I was the 17-year-old my freshman year doing the same thing. I understand the role of the quarterback. At the same time, it was great watching (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) and how he operated it, which was a really good example. He still does a really good job of it. Even (quarterback) Jameis (Winston), taking their advice, seeing how they communicate. I feel like I'm in a great room to learn, but at the same time, I feel like it definitely comes naturally to me.

Q: How do you feel?

DART: How do I feel? Yeah, I feel good. I'm excited.

Q: You were listed yesterday that you had limited practice with a hamstring injury.

DART: No, I feel good. I'm excited.

Q: You have no doubt that you're going to play obviously?

DART: Yeah, never a doubt.

Q: In a season, it's going to be a lot of firsts. Does a first game against a division opponent and a Giants rival mean anything, or is it just the next game for you?

DART: Obviously, divisional games, they hold a little more weight. Obviously, understanding the history of this matchup and the intensity of it carries weight as well. I'm really just excited to get out there on the field Thursday night and have a lot of fun competing. It's going to be a really cool environment.

Q: Do you know the history of it? I'm sure they didn't quiz you on it. Is it something you go back and look at? How much do you know as a young player?

DART: I don't know a ton. I'm a little naive to it, being from the West Coast and whatnot. Obviously, you understand growing up what rivalries are in the National Football League. At the same time, you hear New York, New Jersey people and how they feel about Philadelphia people and vice versa. I definitely have gotten more accustomed to that from my time being here.

Q: When you talk about your first game, when you had your first start, it was, you didn't have a lot of tape on you, but now that you've played two games. I would imagine maybe defensive coordinators, especially this week, may look to throw some different things at you based on what you've shown. Do you think you guys are in a position now, even on a short week, to adapt to what you've seen and maybe change some things that you've done already?

DART: You definitely have to. Each and every week, for everybody around the league, there's going to be different matchups, different schemes that they bring against teams. That's definitely not out of the ordinary. I think that every single week, there's going to be something new that you haven't seen before. You've just got to be able to go back to the sideline and be able to adjust. Just like us, they have really good players and really good coaches. You might get got on a play, and you've got to be able to make the adjustments for the next series.

Q: At the combine, I believe you talked about how much you look up to (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback) Jalen Hurts. You've studied his game, right? Can you take us through what that's like for you, just watching him and what you learn from him?

DART: First of all, I love his mentality, his everyday accountability of himself, and at the same time, raising the bar for his teammates. That was something, as an early college player, being able to look up to guys like that. It's going to be really cool to be on the same field with him and being able to compete against him. At the same time, him just being a really good competitor and being able to do a lot of things with his arm and with his legs and putting his team in really good situations to win.

Q: How much did you talk to (head coach Brian) Daboll about him? Obviously, Daboll worked with him in college briefly.

DART: Yeah, absolutely. I definitely had conversations. I probably had more conversations about it when I was in the draft process of him asking me, what quarterbacks do I like to watch and see how they play? Obviously, he had that connection, so there was definitely conversations of that in the pre-draft.

Q: What do you think makes Hurts the winner that he is?

DART: I mean, he's able to rally the guys around him. I think that the culture that they've built, regardless of them being in really tight games, I think that in those situations, it comes down to the leaders of the team. Him being able to go through adversity during games, during a season, and just being able to rally the guys, I think that was something that really stood out to me.

Q: How have you responded to your adversity in New Orleans?

DART: This was my first loss in the NFL, and for just being realistic, it's not going to be my last. Obviously, you don't want those things to happen, but it's just part of the game. So, just trying to come back, identify the things I need to work on, at the same time being able to say things I did well, and then try to carry those over to the next week. Just the communication with the guys and trying to just keep the confidence high with the players on the team, and us being able to go out there and execute when we need to.

Q: You've been able to start fast in both your starts. Is that something about the first script, the first series, your adrenaline, the execution? What do you think about that? Because later in a game, sometimes it's hard to maintain that level.

DART: I think that just kind of happens in the NFL. There's a lot of times where teams will score on their first drive, because a lot of times, schematically, there are new things that you just haven't seen yet. And it's not out of the norm for the game to kind of slow down with guys and teams making adjustments, which makes us the best players, the best coaches in the world. So, I definitely want to carry that over each and every week, because I think it's important for us to just start fast and being able to execute on those things early. But at the same time like I said, you've got to continue to make adjustments, clean things up, and take care of the ball throughout the whole game.

Q: The second interception where (wide receiver Beaux) Collins kind of stopped, when you watch that back on film, how do you stay confident in each other to make the throw the next time? Because really, you're just kind of throwing to a spot there. What is that process like, kind of dissecting a play like that after the fact?

DART: Yeah, Beaux is a really good player, and he's done a lot of really great things. Obviously, me and him are just new to this still, so there's definitely communication things that we've got to clean up, and I think that showed in that instance. Just as much as me making a mistake and cleaning it up for him, and him making a mistake and cleaning it up for me, those things happen, and you've just got to be able to have those conversations, be able to see it through the same lens. Obviously, in game, it definitely is highlighted. But at the same time, I think for us, just being young and being able to clean up on those things early.

Q: How have you and (tight end) Theo (Johnson) really built your relationship? It seems like you're getting comfortable with him on the field.

DART: Yeah, I've been high on Theo since I really played against him in college. We played in the Peach Bowl, and he had a touchdown. I think just as a player, as a competitor, you're able to see guys who do a lot of really good things, even if they're on a different team. So, I've known about him since college. Obviously, what stood out initially was his combine numbers and just athletic he was. So, I was really excited coming in here to be able to be on the same field with him. He's been nothing but just hardworking and a guy who you can really trust out there on the field, so I look forward to continuing to develop our timing, our relationship with each other. I'm just excited to be able to play with him for a long time.

Q: How excited are you to return to MetLife where you had your magic moment?

DART: Yeah, home games are special because you've got people behind your back, you've got the crowd, you've got the energy, and that's what makes it fun. I'm definitely excited, and it's definitely important to play really well at home.

Q: How important is it for a quarterback to deal with adversity?

DART: I think it's obviously very important, but the most important thing is how can you respond to it and how you're able to make adjustments, how you're able to take accountability for mistakes and then clean those things up and put your team in the best situation. I think that's the hardest thing about this game is you never know how people are going to respond at times, and that's what makes the players the greatest of all time. Being able to see the guys just growing up who are the best at being able to respond to adversity, so it's definitely important.

Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II

Q: You weren't feeling the best last week. Not using excuses, but how did it affect you in the game?

LAWRENCE: I mean, I felt fine out there. A couple of times got a little lightheaded. But the sickness, it was kicking my butt all week, so that was expected. Nothing too crazy, I think I had a good game plan going in, and I executed it well.

Q: You feel a lot better this week, or not 100%?

LAWRENCE: Not 100%.

Q: There are a lot of teams in the NFL that have good running backs, and then a lot of teams in the NFL that have a good passing attack. How much of a challenge and pressure does it put on you when you're facing a team that has both, like Philly does, with the aerial attack they can hit you with or the ground game?

LAWRENCE: We've really got to do well at stopping the run first and I think everything comes off of that. That's how they win games. So, the most important thing is stopping the run and the shots after that. On third down, stopping (Eagles quarterback) Jalen (Hurts) from using his legs and things like that, so that's just what it is.

Q: Jalen, he's been running more, a little bit, this year. He's always been a runner, but it seems like he's been going to it more this year. Do you have to change the way you rush the quarterback because of that, because you don't want to expose those rushing lanes?

LAWRENCE: Not necessarily. You've just got to know where he's going to be in the pocket and study the tape and play off of that.

Q: You've been in the league for a while. Is it harder mentally or physically to prepare for a short-week game? And does it make much of a difference that it's a division rival you've played so often before?

LAWRENCE: It's kind of a little of both. You've got to speed your recovery routine up, like shove it into about three days instead of six. But at the end of the day, when you step on the field, it's time to go, it's time for war, and that's the mindset, and that's what it's got to be to go out there and win.

Q: (Eagles running back) Saquon (Barkley) only got six carries last week and they lost. Sometimes after that, there's a response where we're going to get our guy the ball more often. Is that something you expect?

LAWRENCE: We've got to stop the run. We understand that.

Q: Is there anything that you learned about Saquon last year as an opponent that you maybe have not known in your years with him as a teammate?

LAWRENCE: He's Saquon Barkley, great running back. Just got to do well to attack his O-line, not let him get on our DBs and stay disciplined in your run lanes and I think we'll have a good day.

Q: His numbers are not like they were last year. When you watch them, any reason for that, do you think?

LAWRENCE: Could be teams scheming for him. It happens, but you don't want to be the team to let him get hot. So, you've got to stay disciplined Thursday and go win.

Q: Do you talk more trash to him than other running backs when you play him, given your relationship with him?

LAWRENCE: Yeah, it's a little bit going back and forth.

Q: Are you going to watch his documentary? Have you watched it?

LAWRENCE: No, I haven't yet.

Q: Do you want to watch it?

LAWRENCE: Yeah, I'm going to watch it.

Q: You guys always have different approaches, right? You see the moment on Thursday night and you feed into it. Big moment, big opponent, the lights, everything else. Then there are other guys who are just like, you know what, it's just another game, let's focus in. Where do you fall in that? Where do you want to see this team fall in that?

LAWRENCE: I think just going out and playing it like it's another game. Just you've got to strap up a little earlier in the week, and that's the only thing that's different. You're still going to sleep the night before, you're still going to wake up and put on your pads the day of the game. Just getting ready earlier through the week, and I think just taking care of your body on these days are important.

Q: Is it mentally grinding to have a team in your division like this who, they have your number? You don't want to lose any game, but when you lose repeatedly to a team, does it kind of get you going even more so to kind of end this?

LAWRENCE: I don't know. I don't feed into that.

Q: Okay, why not? I mean, that's a history there, but is it just each game is its own separate story or something?

LAWRENCE: Yeah. Those plays can't win you this game. You've got go out there and play.

Q: What have you made of (linebacker) Abdul's (Carter) start to the season? Obviously, he's had some pretty productive pressures and done a lot of nice things, but also, there hasn't been that wow play yet. How close is he to getting those?

LAWRENCE: I mean, the more you're around a quarterback, that's positive, and he's around the quarterback a lot. You're not going to always get the sacks that you want, but the more you can affect him and allow him to feel you, that's positive, and that's what you want. So, he's just got to keep going and don't grow weary, and I think that's what he's going to do. He understands game day is war day, so he's got a good mindset.

Q: Have you talked to him about that, or is there a maturity there within him where he's already understanding it?

LAWRENCE: Obviously, you've got to talk about it a little bit, because you're coming from college where you get all the numbers. These guys, they're a little selfish. They're going to throw that ball last minute or something, but it's the way of the game, man. You've just got to keep going, and you can win fast, and he's going to throw the ball. It doesn't matter, so you've just got to stay honed in on your technique and keep grinding.

Q: We hear a lot here about with (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart), there are going to be ups and downs, he's a rookie, there's a lot to learn. Is it the same thing with a guy like Abdul? Look, you're a rookie, there are going to be ups, there are going to be downs. You remember when you were a rookie at one point.

LAWRENCE: I just tell him to go. Just go. You're on defense, just go, and that's what he does.

Q: Jalen, he holds the ball, I think it's the third or fourth-most time-wise in the NFL. Do you guys see that and say there are going to be some opportunities for us to get home?

LAWRENCE: You definitely see that, and that makes you have to be even more disciplined with your rush lane, because he's looking for ways to escape, or he's looking for a shot down the field. Don't just stand, have a motor, keep that motor going all play.

Outside linebacker Abdul Carter

Q: (What do you think about) Playing the Philadelphia Eagles?

CARTR: I think it's going to be fun. It's another opportunity for us to get better, come out, play hard.

Q: How was watching the Eagles in the Super Bowl?

CARTER: It was good, but I'm not really focused on that. I'm handling this like a normal week for me.

Q: Is that easy to do?

CARTER: Yeah.

Q: What have you seen from the Eagles? I know it's a short week...

CARTER: They are what they are. They have great players, obviously – they have a good quarterback, good offensive line. We just have to come out and play our game.

Q: What makes the (Eagles quarterback Jalen) Hurts a great quarterback?

CARTER: One, I would just say his execution. Then obviously he's got great players around him. Obviously, when you execute yourself and with great players, you're going to be a good player.

Q: What's your relationship like with (Eagles running back) Saquon (Barkley)? Do you have one from Penn State?

CARTER: We're not super close, but yeah, we know each other for sure.

Q: You got a bunch of family coming through for the game Thursday?

CARTER: Yeah.

Q: About how many?

CARTER: We'll see, I haven't finalized yet, but it's going to be a good amount.

Q: Is that going to be pretty fun for you too, just to have more family here for that night game?

CARTER: Oh yeah, for sure.

Q: Is this one of those games where Saquon only had six carries last week, you kind of expect him to have a bigger workload? And what do you guys have to do to contain him?

CARTER: Yeah, I was shocked when I heard that stat. So, I'm sure they're going to come out and try to give him the ball.

Q: As a pass rusher, you're going up against an Eagles offensive line that has a great reputation for being among the best for a number of years. How much of a litmus test does that provide for you? And how much of a challenge is that to gauge where you are as a pass rushing team?

CARTER: Yeah, they've got a good front, but so do we. So, we just have to come out and attack. That's what we've been doing. I don't think it's much into it. As long as we come out and play our game, we should be good.

Q: What did you take away from the film from Sunday's game?

CARTER: We've moved on from it at this point. We're focused on Philly now. We've got a short week, so we've moved on.

Q: How are you feeling just body-wise on the short week?

CARTER: I'm feeling good. Everybody's going to be sore. Everybody's going to have little things bothering them, but I'll be all right.

Q: When you're breaking down your own film, you're criticizing yourself. When you're trying to improve and trying to get better, what have you been focused on? What have you been pleased with? And what do you think you really need time to get better at?

CARTER: When I watch film of myself, I focus on mainly the bad things I did, the bad plays I had, whether it's technique or just things I could have (done) better. That's why I take it from. I don't really try to watch the good stuff too much. Obviously, I watch it, but you learn more from the bad. That's what I try to do.

Q: What's a bad play that stood out to you on Sunday?

CARTER: I can't be too specific, but I go over with my coaches, my teammates and they let me know what I'm doing, and we just have that back-and-forth conversation.

Q: Do you gain any personal satisfaction with where you're at right now as a player through five weeks because of what the team record is? Or is that, I mean, I don't expect you to express it here.

CARTER: I feel like with team success comes individual recognition. As long as the team's doing well, as long as we're winning, then more recognition will come to individuals. So that's what I try to focus on.