Eagles starters Tim Jernigan, Ronald Darby, Mychal Kendricks fighting illness

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Multiple Philadelphia Eagles players are dealing with illness this week as the team prepares for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the New England Patriots. Defensive tackle Tim Jernigan and cornerback Ronald Darby, both starters, missed Thursday's media availability. Jernigan was unable to practice on Wednesday because of an illness, and was held out of last Friday's practice session as well.

Running back Kenjon Barner also missed time last week. Even head coach Doug Pederson was under the weather last weekend before taking off for Minneapolis.

"I'm getting over it right now. It's like a cold, dude. I don't know. The whole team has it, though," said linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who clarified that he didn't mean that literally everyone on the team is sick. "I don't think it had anything to do with us being out here. I think it started sometime last week. Something we've got to get through. We'll be fine. It's not that big of a deal."

The Eagles' 53-man roster comes into the matchup relatively healthy from an injury standpoint. Jernigan was the only player that missed Wednesday practice. Running back Jay Ajayi (ankle), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) were all full participants.

After that practice session, Pederson described Jernigan's illness as "a 24-hour deal," per the pool report.

The Eagles still have a few days to get everyone right.

"It's that time of year. No one's dying," said Kendricks. "It's all good."