DeSean, Asante questionable; Dunlap expects to start
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DeSean, Asante questionable; Dunlap expects to start
Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari
DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel are listed as questionable for Sunday's game -- though Jackson again hinted that he expects to play, saying, "I can't let my troops go out there without me." Both Pro Bowlers practiced in part for the Eagles on Friday, but were limited two days before their showdown at the New York Giants. Andy Reid said they did more work Friday than Thursday.
Tackle Winston Justice is also listed as questionable. King Dunlap, who filled in for Justice last week, said he expects to start after taking all of the first team repetitions in practice this week.
"As far as I know I am," Dunlap said. "I've been taking the reps with the starters all week."
Head coach Andy Reid said Jackson and Samuel are both doing better today, but did not give a definitive answer on whether they will be healthy enough to go on Sunday.
"I want to see how it works out tonight after this work out here," Reid said.
Justice said he expects to play -- but it sounded more like a competitor setting a goal for himself than a certainty. Justice said he is not yet 100 percent and that a decision could come Friday or Saturday.
"I feel like I could play, but if I was playing right now I wouldn't be 100 percent," Justice said.
Samuel appeared to take a step back after practicing in full Wednesday. He was limited Thursday and Friday. But he said he is getting better, without saying if he will play.
"Each day I wake up and it's a better day. Every day feels better, so I'm just looking forward to tomorrow and the next day," he said. "I felt good, though."
FROM EARLIER:
Jackson hasn't officially practiced all week because of a foot sprain, but the receiver did workout some each day and looks as if he will live up to his statement on Thursday that he's playing on Sunday.
Samuel has missed the last three games with a knee sprain and was limited on Thursday, but he was ready to go on Friday.
Tackle Winston Justice (knee) was also at practice. The Eagles were once again practicing inside their indoor facility.
Eagles coach Andy Reid will have an official injury report following practice.
We can win with Hanson at left corner, against the Giants' receivers. We can win with Avant and Cooper playing a lot of snaps. King Dunlap does his best, but he's not as good as Justice was when Umenyora used him for a turnstile. I think they should have developed Howard this year, got him on the field as much as possible. Justice is obviously not fully ready, so this is a tough day for the line whether he plays or sits.— tacklinjoe- In all reality, the right side of this O-Line qualifies for disaster relief. I'm sorta hoping the Army Corps of Engineers can build some kind of moveable gate that just springs open when a runniing back needs to run through, and stays shut during a passing play. Wouldn't it be fun to watch V-7 stroll back into the pocket the way Mc5 used to a couple years ago when our line was near the best pass-blocking line in the entire League? The mind boggles! Oh Andy, Dear, Sweet Andy....could it be possible, (maybe before V-7 winds up splattered all over some DE's windshield perhaps?) that he see that kind of protection? Yeah, I didn't think so either.— TBear
- needles pills steroids, I DONT CARE get samuel on the field
— jimmythec 
Comment removed.
Desean and Asante are both critical components for this team and are needed Sunday. Beware the cheap shots on Vick from the Giants. Eagles win 31-14. Put a nail on the coffin for NFC East opponents.- The second half of the season has been against the top defensive teams. The true problem comes from Vicks lack of protection, in order to protect him he has to lose one of his big weapons. Not to mention the lack of depth on the defensive side. We only have to look at the last three games to see where the problems are. With Dunlap and his slow footwork the birds need to keep two men in for blocking. With the Giants saying they will hit Vick every chance they get good/bad hit. The first sign of this happening the eagles should treat Manning exactly the same way. Hit Eli often then he throws a lot of interceptions.— danthony930
