Philadelphia Eagles starting inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks has still not returned to practice. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, it's highly unlikely Kendricks will play in the Eagles' Week 5 game against this St. Louis Rams this week. Further, it is looking like Kendricks may not even be ready to return by the team's Week 6 against the New York Giants. Kendricks is reportedly a "long shot" to return by then.

Mychal Kendricks is out here but not in pads. Highly unlikely for Sunday. Giants game, from what I'm hearing, is a long shot, too. #Eagles — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 1, 2014

This is obviously less than ideal news for Philadelphia's defense. Kendricks is a talented player that the Eagles need out on the field.

With Kendricks out, the rotation of Emmanuel Acho, the much-maligned Casey Matthews, and rookie first round pick outside linebacker Marcus Smith II have been filling in at inside linebacker. The drop-off from Kendricks to his backups is significant.

Kendricks is still recovering from a calf injury that the Eagles linebacker suffered in the team's Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts. If Kendricks is expected to be out at least two more games, perhaps it's possible he is aiming for a Week 8 return against the Arizona Cardinals following Philadelphia's Week 7 bye.

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Full Eagles injury report coming later today, but here's a quick update on who is/isn't practicing so far on Wednesday.

Out: Mychal Kendricks, Brandon Boykin

In: Jeremy Maclin, James Casey