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Eagles Notes: Ryans returns; Sproles hurts knee

After a week of questions about whether inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans would play Sunday night against the New York Giants, Ryans started and fortified the middle of the Eagles defense.

Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

After a week of questions about whether inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans would play Sunday night against the New York Giants, Ryans started and fortified the middle of the Eagles defense.

Ryans was questionable after leaving last week's win over the St. Louis Rams with a groin injury. The linebacker was limited in practice throughout the week. But Ryans has not missed a game since he arrived in Philadelphia in 2012. Coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday, "If there is one guy that I wouldn't count out of anything, it would be DeMeco."

Ryans wears the headset on the Eagles defense. His presence was even more important because the team continued to miss inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who was sidelined for the fourth consecutive game with a calf injury.

The Eagles' inactive players were Kendricks, quarterback Matt Barkley, wide receiver Brad Smith, running back Chris Polk, center Jason Kelce, offensive lineman Dennis Kelly, and defensive lineman Taylor Hart.

The only healthy scratches were Barkley, Kelly, and Hart. Smith has an abdominal injury, Polk has a hamstring injury, and Kelce has a sports hernia.

Casey Matthews started at inside linebacker in Kendricks' place. Matthews rotated with Emmanuel Acho.

Polk missed his second game of the season. The hamstring kept him out throughout the preseason. With Polk missing, the Eagles used rookie Josh Huff as the primary kick returner. Tight end Trey Burton was the No. 3 running back.

With Smith missing, Huff took a greater role on special teams. James Casey became the emergency quarterback.

Sproles hurts knee

Darren Sproles left the game in the third quarter with a left-knee injury. Sproles was hurt on a 4-yard run when his knee appeared to twist on the tackle. He was examined by the medical staff on the field, but Sproles was able to walk off on his own power.

Sproles then retreated to the locker room. LeSean McCoy was the only healthy full-time running back remaining. Jeremy Maclin became the punt returner in Sproles' absence

Tough injury for Cruz

The Giants suffered a major loss when Victor Cruz left the game in the third quarter with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. The major injury occurred on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the 3-yard line.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw a fade to Cruz, who hurt his knee while reaching for the ball. Cruz could not come up with the catch and needed to be carted off the field.

Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who spent two seasons with the Eagles, left the game in the first half with back spasms.

Extra points

The Eagles recognized iconic Philadelphia broadcaster Bill Campbell in the first quarter. Campbell died last Monday at age 91. . . . R&B group Boyz II Men performed at halftime.