Philadelphia Eagles News: Kiko Alonso Injury Not Too Big A Concern, Chip Kelly Says

The Philadelphia Eagles don’t appear to be too worried about the concussion suffered by Kiko Alonso this week, with coach Chip Kelly saying the former Oregon linebacker doesn’t have a history of head injuries.

Alonso was held out of the team’s practice on Saturday after going down with a head injury during practice earlier in the week. Kelly said Alonso has been doing customized exercises with team staff to make up for practices missed.

But more importantly, Kelly moved to quash any lingering concern over Alonso’s long-term prognosis, saying this was the first concussion the linebacker has suffered.

“He hasn’t had a history of it, so we’re not worried about it right now,” Kelly said Saturday via the SB Nation blog Bleeding Green Nation, “But obviously any time that word comes up with any player you’ll take all the precautions necessary before you put them back out there.”

Kiko Alonso’s health is one of the major concerns about his future with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a torrid rookie season with the Buffalo Bills, he missed all of 2014 after suffering a torn ACL during offseason workouts. He has also dealt with injuries through his college years, and now the uncertainty that comes with head injuries only adds to the concern.

It’s not yet clear if Alonso will be back in time for the team’s first preseason game on August 16, but veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans said Alonso is up to speed with the team’s defense and won’t be hurt missing time.

“Kiko is another one of those guys who picked up on things fairly well,” Ryans said after practice Saturday. “I think [the defense is] similar to Buffalo and also in college, so it wasn’t a big learning curve for him, so he’ll be fine. Whenever he gets back he knows the defense fairly well, so when he gets back I don’t see him missing a beat.”

Alonso seems to be making an impression on both sides of the ball. Tight end Zach Ertz had great things to say about his abilities.

“Kiko is a stud, man,” Ertz said, via Philly. “He can do anything you ask of a linebacker. He can cover, he can pursue the ball, he’s very, very smart. He’s very patient, as well, and he knows how to use his athleticism to the best of his ability. I think that’s something that’s kind of stood out to me.”

The Philadelphia Eagles still haven’t given a solid timeframe for when Kiko Alonso could return, but it will be at least a few more days. He still has league-mandated concussion protocol to pass before he can be back on the practice field.

[Picture by Rick Stewart/Getty Images]