Watkins has "chronic" ankle; doubtful for Sunday
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Watkins has "chronic" ankle; doubtful for Sunday
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Danny Watkins has a "chronic ankle" condition, Andy Reid said Friday, and the right guard was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game after he missed two days of practice.
"Danny has got kind of a chronic ankle and he's had it for years," Reid said. "He disturbed it in the last game and he thought it would be fine and it didn't work out. He came back Monday practice, Wednesday practiced and he just didn't feel right. So [we] backed him up and let the thing settle down and we'll see how he does tomorrow and on Sunday."
Reid was asked if Watkins' ankle has been chronic since the Eagles selected the then-26-year-old in the first round of the 2011 draft.
"Yes," Reid said. "By Webster, yes. He tweaked it in the game, is what he did. He had had an issue with it years ago and then he tweaked it again in the game."
Reid was asked earlier if Watkins' ankle injury was something that the Eagles should worry about long-term.
"I think he'll be alright. I think he'll be alright," Reid said. "We'll just let it calm down here and see what happens."
If Watkins can't go Sunday, rookie Dennis Kelly will start in his place.
FROM EARLIER:
Danny Watkins was not suited up and will not practice on Friday.
The Eagles right guard will miss two straight practices and will likely be listed as no better than "questionable" when Andy Reid releases his injury list following practice. Watkins has an ankle sprain that he re-aggravated, Reid said on Thursday.
With Watkins out, rookie Dennis Kelly will get his second straight day of working with the starters. If he is needed Sunday against the Falcons, Kelly will make his first career start. He played exclusively at tackle at Purdue, but he did take some snaps at guard in the preseason.
Watkins has had his struggles this season, particularly against the Lions on Oct. 14. On Monday, after the Eagles returned from the bye week off, Watkins declined to answer questions because he said he did not like stories written about the offensive line and his performance.
Two days later, however, he spoke with reporters and expressed disappointment over the way he played against Detroit, especially after he said he make progress the previous two weeks.
The Eagles line has been banged up. King Dunlap will start at left tackle for Demetress Bell after sitting out the last three games with a hamstring injury. And center Dallas Reynolds has had issues trying to fill in for Jason, who is out for the season. Adding Kelly to the mix, despite Watkins' poor play, could be a recipe for disaster.
What a terrible pick, a 27 year old guard with a bad ankle and limited skills, but they made up for it with Jarret. What a horrible draft!!!!— markperantoni- AND THE 2010 DRAFT (THE BRANDON GRAHAM DRAFT) WASN'T ANY BETTER. THE 2 DRAFTS (2010 AND 2011) COMBINED ARE THE 2 WORST DRAFTS IN CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN NFL HISTORY. REID NEEDS TO BE FIRED NOW!!!! — bedpan
- What? Milky diarrhea?— ANDY-IS-FAT
- Chronic arthritis comes with old age. Why is everyone so surprised?— chocolatethunder
- And with the rain coming, his ankle is just acting up as is common in the elderly.— mjc1
- And with the rain coming, his ankle is just acting up as is common in the elderly.— mjc1
- Can't see them beating Atlanta with this offensive line. This is the worst line in Andy Reid's 14 years here.— p-diddy
- By Webster ??? Is Emmanuel Lewis the new Eagles trainer?— zeke128
- As watsonmr alludes to above, Reid selected Curry (BPA) and sits him, a foolish move considered he neglected to draft a backup safety or OL. Once again, Reid's arrogance is displayed--he "felt good" going into this season with this offensive Line, even though it it had two 2nd year starters and nary a quality backup, having traded them all away. Vick will run for his life behind this porous line for the rest of the season, but will not be here after Feb. 6 anyway. Sadly, Lurie will probably give Reid "one more chance"--the man needs some stability in his life after his wife left him (sic)--even though Reid's poor coaching and player selections are causing all this turmoil. Only if reason and justice prevail will Reid be gone too.— Robman
- Watkins has a chronic sucking problem, but Reid et al deserve the blame for drafting him. Problem is Reid needs lingering obvious evidence to admit to a mistake then two years later he will let him go
- Reid is gone, book it! He will be the problem of the Cleveland Browns and Nickels Banner...— BirdinParadise
- Another "I'm Andy Reid and I'm smarter than the entire NFL" pick.— deanwermer
- Well, on the bright side, the guy is only in his second season, so he must be really young, like, what, 22? Wasn't McCoy 21 or 22 in his second season?
What's that you say? Oh. Nevermind.— HolidayinCambodia - Vick will fake an injury to get out of the game. no protection? thanks andy.
and Coles is a dead dog.— Tyrone Biggums - "I'm Jon Runyan and I don't approve of this o-line."— Tyrone Biggums
