DIDN'T KNOW DOC WAS ALSO A MECHANIC
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson and linebacker Akeem Jordan will not play in Sunday's game at Atlanta, Eagles coach Andy Reid said today.
Jackson and Jordan join running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) on the list of casualties that will not make the trip to Atlanta.
Jackson, who suffered a concussion last game against the Redskins, hasn't practiced all week. In light of Westbrook's two concussions and the increased glare on concussions in the NFL, in was a long shot that Jackson would be cleared to play this week. Reid said the team was still awaiting results from the receiver's lastest test.
"He actually felt pretty good today," Reid said.
Reid was asked if Jackson has had any headaches.
“Yeah, he’s had just kind of the normal headache," Reid said. "Normally they start reducing by today and that’s kind of the way it’s worked.”
With Jackson out Reggie Brown will likely garner more playing time and Jordan Norwood, a practice squad member a week ago, will play in his first NFL game as the fourth receiver.
As for Jordan (hyperextended knee), he returned to practice on Wednesday after a three-week layoff, but only played on the scout team. Yesterday he ran with the scout team again but was deemed a limited participant by the Eagles. Reid said he had swelling in his knee following practice and did not go today. Will Witherspoon will stay at weak-side with Jeremiah Trotter and Joe Mays in the middle.
Tight end Brent Celek (sprained thumb) and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (ankle sprain), meanwhile, are probable for Sunday. Defensive end Juqua Parker tweaked his knee at practice, but Reid said it was nothing.
Reid was also asked today if Shawn Andrews, who had back surgery yesterday, would undergo a rehab program different from the one after his first back surgery a year ago.
"I don’t think that was the problem," Reid said. "They’ll will do what people do in the rehab, whether it’s [head athletic trainer] Rick [Burkholder] or the people in California, they will do it the way they want that done through the doctor and what the doctor’s expectations are each week and what his increases can be each week. We’ll just have to see. Every back is a little different and we’ll just have to see. The main thing is that he gets where he’s comfortable and can function, whether it’s on the football field or in life. Life ends up being the most important of those two for him right now. He just has to make sure that he gets himself back to where he’s comfortable.”
