Archive: November, 2009
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been ruled out for Sunday's Eagles game, coach Mike Smith said today during his day-after news conference.
The Penn Charter product suffered a toe injury in Atlanta's win over Tampa Bay yesterday. Chris Redman, a seven-year pro, is the backup quarterback.
Back with more.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
With a trip back to Atlanta in store for this weekend, Michael Vick will be on the road for the next two days speaking out against dogfighting.
The Eagles quarterback is in his hometown of Newport News, Va. today to address students at Huntington Middle School. He'll be in Newark, N.J. tomorrow afternoon at The Boys and Girls Club.
On Saturday, he travels back to Atlanta, where he spent the first seven years of his NFL career. After the Eagles' 27-24 win over Washington yesterday, Vick told the Associated Press that Atlanta was still "my city" and that he expected a "great reaction" from the crowd. There have been stories done before and after Vick's incarceration for running a dogfighting ring that showed the people of Atlanta still largely in Vick's corner.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
For the second straight game guard Stacy Andrews is a healthy scratch for the Eagles. Andrews started just two games ago, but is inactive once again.
Cornerback Asante Samuel (neck) and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter (knee) were not on the Eagles' inactive list released just moments ago. Both were questionable coming into the game. Both should be able to start. We'll see how much they can play, however.
The other injured inactives for the Eagles are: linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee), running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee). Running back P.J. Hill, guard Mike McGlynn and cornerback Geoffrey Pope also didn't dress.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Linebacker Akeem Jordan is out and cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter are questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins, Eagles coach Andy Reid said.
Reid sounded confident that Samuel and Trotter would be able to play, however. Trotter is expected to split downs with Joe Mays at middle linebacker with Jordan (knee) out for the third straight game. Trotter said he started to feel pain down his left leg last night. He said he never felt that kind of pain before. Reid said the 32-year-old had inflammation in his knee and the team held him out of practice today.
The team worked out indoors so the turf added another reason to extra cautious with Trotter.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Akeem Jordan were not practicing again for the Eagles today. The pair missed yesterday's practice and have to be considered long shots to play Sunday against the Redskins.
Samuel is trying to come back from a neck strain that he suffered last game against the Bears. A hyper-extended knee kept Jordan out of the last two games.
Eagles defensive coordinator said that Jeremiah Trotter and Joe Mays would continue to split time in the middle if Jordan can't return by Sunday. "It's important to manage expectations," McDermott said of the 32-year-old Trotter.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid started it, the columnists and sports talkers continued it and, well, I'm going to keep it going: Is Donovan McNabb a Hall of Fame quarterback right now? I asked the Eagles quarterback -- who turned 33 today -- that very question at his news conference. The question was prefaced with the statement that the topic was a hot one on local airwaves, Web sites and newspapers.
"Really?" McNabb said with mock astonishment.
So where do you stand, Don, on the question?
Bob Brookover
Eagles offensive tackle Winston Justice signed a four-year contract extension today and the team also signed cornerback Geoffrey Pope off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.
A league source told ESPN.com that the deal is worth $18.15 million, including a $6 million signing bonus.
To make room for Pope, the Eagles released cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, the former fourth-round pick who played in his first NFL game Sunday at Chicago.
Jeff McLane and Bob Brookover
The stinger Asante Samuel suffered in last night's win over Chicago turned out to not be serious, after all, and the Eagles cornerback is feeling fine, according to coach Andy Reid.
Samuel has had several stingers this season. He's bounced back from each, but last night he left the game and did not return. Samuel's upgraded condition is important in light of how the Eagles' cornerback corp has been depleted. Sheldon Brown has a hamstring strain, but still played through the injury against the Bears. He tweaked his hammy in the first half, but jump back out on the field without pause when Samuel got hurt.
Reid held his morning after press conference today and had several injury updates. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) and Brian Westbrook (concussion) are both out for Sunday's game against Washington. Reid said that linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee) was getting better, but if the team was practicing today he wouldn't be out there. If Jordan can't go for the third straight game, Will Witherspoon will likely remain in his spot on the weak-side and Jeremiah Trotter and Joe Mays will be left to roam the middle. They both had their ups and downs last night.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
CHICAGO -- Eagles guard Stacy Andrews will not dress for tonight's Bears game. Andrews wasn't listed on the team's injury report coming into the game, although he has been slowed by off-season knee surgery. This will be the first game in which the Eagles' prized off-season, free agent acquisition has not dressed. Andrews hasn't played much this season. He joins his brother, Shawn, on the sidelines. Shawn is on injured reserve with a back injury and is out for the season.
Sheldon Brown, meanwhile, is active and will play in his 134th consecutive game. The Eagles cornerback hardly practiced last week because of a hamstring strain but will start against the Bears.
There are no surprises from the rest of the Eagles' inactives: RB Brian Westbrook (concussion), LB Akeem Jordan (knee), S Quintin Demps (ankle) are WR Kevin Curtis (knee) injured. RB P.J. Hill and G Mike McGlynn are healthy scratches.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles listed Sheldon Brown as questionable for Sunday night's game at Chicago, but the cornerback sounded fairly positive that he'll be able to continue his consecutive games-played streak.
"I have two days and the good thing about it is it's Sunday night, so I have all day to rehab, too," Brown said.
Brown was a limited participant in practice today, as he's been all week. There's a chance he could be used only sparingly against the Bears, splitting time with Dimitri Patterson, who would be his replacement if Brown couldn't. Ramzee Robinson could also figure into the mix.
