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Eagles Notes: Eagles Samuel, Cooper suffer concussions

Cornerback Asante Samuel and wide receiver Riley Cooper suffered concussions Sunday during the 17-12 loss to the Washington Redskins. Neither returned.

Cornerback Asante Samuel and wide receiver Riley Cooper suffered concussions Sunday during the 17-12 loss to the Washington Redskins. Neither returned.

Joselio Hanson replaced Samuel, whose injury could result in a troubling loss if he misses significant time. He is the team's top cover man, and the Eagles are thin on cornerback experience.

Cooper's concussion left the Eagles with just three wide receivers.

The Eagles have suffered four concussions in two home games.

Right guard shuffle

Nick Cole was available to play guard Sunday, but Max Jean-Gilles got the start on the right side of the Eagles' line.

Cole had sat out practice all week with knee soreness, but the decision shows another shuffling of the pecking order at guard, which has been a problem spot ever since training camp. When Cole got hurt against Jacksonville last week, Reggie Wells filled in.

But after that performance, he was moved back to the left side, and Jean-Gilles got his shot. Reid put Jean-Gilles in, he said, because Jean-Gilles had taken all of the first-team practice repetitions leading up to the game.

Another pick for Allen

Nate Allen had his third interception in four career games, picking off Donovan McNabb, the quarterback he once cheered for as a high schooler.

Allen's three interceptions are the most by an Eagles rookie since Brian Dawkins had three in 1996.

Creative friends

Two buddies from South Jersey came as the McNabb trade.

Josh Botlinger came as No. 5 in a Redskins jersey. Nick DeMarco decided to show up as No. 29, Allen, who was the second-round pick the Eagles received in the McNabb trade.

"I thought it would be funny," DeMarco said.

Extra points

DeSean Jackson was laboring through the final drive. He said he had gotten "a little dinged up" but should be fine. . . . Cornerback Jorrick Calvin hurt his shoulder early in the game and did not return. . . . Middle linebacker Omar Gaither was active again. He played on special teams and had three tackles. . . . The Eagles had just one sack, by Ernie Sims, his first with the team. . . . Regarding the Eagles' eight penalties for 80 yards, coach Andy Reid said: "There were way too many penalties. We've got to take care of that and be way more disciplined that than." The Eagles compiled 239 penalty yards in their first three games, roughly 80 a week. . . . The Redskins haven't started 2-0 in the division since 1995.

Eagles Notes: Mistakes, Miscues, and Mess-ups

Here are some key mistakes the Eagles made Sunday in their sloppy loss to the Redskins:

First quarter

Just two minutes into the game, Quintin Mikell makes a nice play in stopping Santana Moss along the sideline for a 5-yard gain. Wait! Mikell is called for a personal foul for dragging Moss down by the collar of his shoulder pads. He gets a 15-yard penalty, and the Redskins score a touchdown two plays later.

With 36 seconds left in the quarter, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick races from the Washington 24 to the 1. The sellout crowd roars. Wait! The play is called back when guard Max Jean-Gilles is called for holding. Instead of a touchdown, the Eagles settle for a 49-yard field goal by David Akers.

Second quarter

On their best drive of the game, the Eagles march from their 25 to the Redskins' 1. Finally, a touchdown seems certain. Wait! Coach Andy Reid fails to get a play off in time after a 30-second timeout on fourth down, is penalized 5 yards, and has to kick a 23-yard field goal instead of going for six points.

Third quarter

Less than a minute into the quarter, Donovan McNabb throws an incompletion on third and 2. Wait! Linebacker Ernie Sims is called for roughing McNabb, and Washington keeps the ball. On the next third down, a third and 9, the Redskins gain just 7 yards. Wait! Cornerback Ellis Hobbs is called for illegal contact, and the Redskins get another first down. Finally, the Birds catch a break when Nate Allen intercepts a ball thrown by McNabb to end the threat.

With seven minutes left in the quarter, quarterback Kevin Kolb scrambles for 32 big yards to the Washington 29. The momentum swings. Wait! Left tackle Jason Peters is called for holding, and the play is negated. The Birds recover to march to the Washington 26. The mojo is back. Wait! LeSean McCoy fumbles, and Redskins safety Kareem Moore recovers.

Fourth quarter

Three minutes into the quarter, Kolb competes a 14-yard pass to Jason Avant to the Redskins' 35-yard line. The fans are on their feet. Wait! Guard Todd Herremans is flagged for holding. The play is negated. The Eagles punt four plays later. - Gary MilesEndText