PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles coach Doug Pederson wouldn’t commit to playing running back Jay Ajayi against the Denver Broncos this Sunday, but the team is putting in extra time to get him ready and has been happy with his progress.

Ajayi was acquired from Miami on Tuesday at the trade deadline. He first practiced with the Eagles on Wednesday. Pederson said he wanted to get through Friday’s session, which features a lot of red zone work, before greenlighting Ajayi to play against Denver.

“He’s done a nice job,” Pederson said. “He’s a smart guy. He comes from an offense that uses very similar terminology, so he’s familiar with that. He’s picked it up. He’s had some extra meetings with [running backs coach] Duce [Staley] this week, so we’re trying to get him up to speed as fast as he can and we can.”

Pederson said that Ajayi is being given a “very limited” portion of the playbook, about 10 to 15 plays. The Eagles want to get him comfortable before filling up his plate. So far, Pederson has liked what he’s seen out of his new back.

“He’s a violent runner. He’s aggressive,” Pederson said. “He’s got a great one-cut move back to the inside. I think he’s got tremendous vision and can hit the hole extremely fast, and in the open field has the speed to run away from defenders.”

Pederson also addressed the team’s injury situation. Tight end Zach Ertz was listed as a limited participant Thursday with a tight hamstring, but the team anticipates he’ll be fine to play this Sunday. Cornerback Ronald Darby (dislocated ankle) will once again be listed as questionable. He hasn’t played since suffering the injury in the opener against Washington.

The Eagles’ bye is Week 10, right after the Denver game. Pederson said that will be considered when determining how to proceed with Darby, “but as long as we don’t put a guy out there that we can jeopardize them further, they’ll usually play in this game, and it’s a big game for us this Sunday.”

Darby is considered a game-time decision.