McCoy to Start; Allen Out in Safety Dance
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that LeSean McCoy will start Sunday against the Redskins in his return from a concussion. There had been speculation that the Eagles might sit McCoy for the final two games to guard against reinjury.
McCoy to Start; Allen Out in Safety Dance
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that LeSean McCoy will start Sunday against the Redskins in his return from a concussion. There had been speculation that the Eagles might sit McCoy for the final two games to guard against reinjury.
"When you're healthy, you play," Reid said. He indicated that McCoy agreed.
Reid also announced that the starting shot Colt Anderson has earned won't be at the expense of Kurt Coleman, the safety Anderson replaced the past two games while Coleman recovered from a sternum injury. Reid said Anderson will take Nate Allen's spot.
Reid said all three would play, but he wants Anderson and Coleman as the starters because the Redskins like to run the ball and Anderson and Coleman offer physicality. Allen, a second-round pick in 2010, has been among the disappointments this season on a defense that has seen more than a few of them.
"Colt's been playing well, man," Allen said. "I'm not sure exactly what the decision was, but everything we do is to win games ... We're just gonna roll with it."
Allen said playing the run "is something you can always improve on."
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Tight end Clay Harbor said he suffered three small fractures in his lumbar region early in last Thursday's loss to the Bengals, but didn't want to leave the game, with the other regular tight end, Brent Celek, already sidelined by a concussion.
Harbor said he felt "stabbing pains" when running and wasn't able to move very well. He said the injury was no excuse for his fumble, part of a cascade of four Eagles turnovers in five plays that turned the game around.
Celek, injured on the first play of the Tampa game, said he is fine now and will play this week. He said he was "real proud of" Harbor for his effort against the Bengals.
Rookie FB/TE Emil Igwenagu probably will be more of a tight end this week, Reid indicated, and rookie Chris Polk will take fullback reps. Regular fullback Stan Havili is sidelined with a hamstring problem and is unlikely to play against Washington.
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Andy Reid confirmed that Michael Vick will be the third quarterback this week as the Eagles "ease him back in."
Good bye Nate.— BP2- Colt subs for Allen, and Coleman starts? Coleman?!?! Andy really is in full don't give a #%&@ mode now.— JBirks
- Wow, is this going to be two 2nd round picks at safety cut so close together? I don't think that it would be wrong to do that (Allen is almost as bad as Jarrett), just surprising.— HorshamGuy
- i do not get what makes andy love coleman so much. one of the more stupid of his many stupid decisions that will lead to him getting fired— HDemetriou
- I don't think the Skins will alter their game plan because Coleman is in, but you can bet it will be bombs away. Plus, how can he stop the run when his back is always towards the QB?— tuscany590
not a big fan of Coleman, but I agree Nate Allen is worse.— potus- Just make sure lurie blows this all up comes seasons fuggin end!. No dancing around just make the moves on 12/31 and God I hope he's already been contacting coaching candidates that are no employed. On 1/2 start the interview process for the coaches who are employed. I would hate to wait till after the Super Bowl to see the Eagles pick up scraps. Gus Bradley has done wonders with Seattle's defense....— glove69
- I think Coleman will actually look good at SS in the "new" 4-3 look the Birds have been running. Allen on the other hand is terrible. Your FS needs to be able to cover and sadly, he sucks at that.— CaptAwesome
- Reality - Coleman is adequate (just adequate)in the box against the run, just don't ask him to turn around and cover anybody. He Will tackle people, unlike some of our other DBs. Colt Anderson is the second coming of Tim Hauck, and that's a good thing. He's a great special teamer, and a decent backup at safety. Just don't ask him to start for a full, 16-game schedule.— Joeknows
- I hope Lurie tries to talk coach Herman Edwards out of retirement.
I think he will be the coach the Eagles need to light a fire up their butts.— Fade2blck - I've never seen a team of such under performers.— Vote for Dickie
- probkem is, they're not underperforming. they're playing to their talent level. bottom line, almost every guy drafted or free agent signed by howie roseman STINKS. coleman is performing to his level. DRC is performing to his level. Etc.
you are what your record says you are— hannibal barca - Can someone please tell me the benefit of winning a game at this point? Because I can give several that loosing provides..— HighDrama
- When you're healthy, you play," Reid said.
unless your name is michael vick...— hannibal barca - Again Reid puts McCoy needlessly at risk. McCoy got the concussion in the first place because he had him out there running the ball with under 2 minutes and the score long ago decided. Now he is going out there for 2 meaningless games and the possibility of getting concussed again and having his career in jeopardy. Sit McCoy. See if Brown can hold onto the ball, if not get Polk some reps. Oh and fire Reid before he has a chance to do anymore damage to the best player on this team.— Iron Giant
- This. Is. A. Bad. Idea.— rubicon24
- If the Eagles fans are the 12th Man, well they're underperforming too! They act like they can coach and they can't even be a TRUE fan, they're frontrunners!— M420
