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Injury to Logan gives Eagles' Allen unexpected chance

Eagles coach Doug Pederson didn't have much positive to say about last week's defensive effort in the 27-20 loss to the host Washington Redskins, but when he was asked about the play of tackle Beau Allen, the rookie coach quickly changed his spirit.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson didn't have much positive to say about last week's defensive effort in the 27-20 loss to the host Washington Redskins, but when he was asked about the play of tackle Beau Allen, the rookie coach quickly changed his spirit.

"I tell you, Beau honestly was one of the bright spots last week," Pederson said before Friday's practice.

There weren't many from a unit that allowed 230 yards rushing for a 7.0 average per carry while generating no sacks.

Allen, the 6-foot-3, 327-pound third year defensive tackle from the University of Wisconsin, saw extended time after starter Bennie Logan suffered a groin injury in the second quarter. Logan didn't practice all week and is listed as questionable, although it would be a surprise if he plays.

Allen was in on 43 snaps (58 percent) and contributed three tackles.

This week he is expected to get his first start of the season and third of his career in Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field.

Allen couldn't be more excited to be in the starting lineup on a number of fronts.

"I am expecting to play a lot more and that is what everybody wants," Allen said. "You never want to be a backup guy who doesn't want that role."

Allen, who has been named a defensive captain for Sunday's game, finds other special meaning in taking the field.

He hails from Minnetonka, Minn., which Allen says is about seven miles from the Vikings training camp in Eden Prairie, although he was a never a Vikings fan growing up.

What is most important to Allen is that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Eagles have a "Tackling Breast Cancer"" campaign (#EaglesTBC).

Allen's mother Susie is a breast cancer survivor and will attend the game with several other family members, including an aunt who is also a breast cancer survivor.

"It's really a meaningful game in that sense," Allen said.

Allen will wear pink cleats as a show of support and also wears his blond hair long for a reason.

"The reason I have long hair, I will donate it eventually," he said. "I put it in a braid and will put a pink bow around it to pay homage to my mom, all she has been through, it will be fun that she will be there for that."

Even though he grew up so close to the Vikings practice facility, Allen says he was always a Green Bay Packers as a youngster. He said his mother's family is from Wisconsin and his father's is from Minnesota. He sided with mom and rooted for the Packers.

"We had a little fun rivalry growing up in the house," he said laughing.

Rivalry aside, the biggest task in Allen's mind is to help the Eagles (3-2) end their two-game slide.

Allen had mixed emotions when Pederson's remarks about his play last week were relayed.

"It was a tough game and when you lose like that and have that kind of defensive performance, you don't really think of your own performance that much," he said. "I appreciate that [Pederson] has that kind of faith in me."

Notable. Besides Logan, the other Eagles listed as questionable are cornerback Ron Brooks (calf), linebacker Mychal Kendricks (ribs), and corner Leodis McKelvin (hamstring). McKelvin, who has missed three of five games but was a full-practice participant all week, expressed confidence in playing. "I put this grind in all week hoping to go out there and play, that is my main goal," McKelvin said. Brooks and Kendricks were also full participants in practice Friday. If Brooks can't go, Pederson said that safety Malcolm Jenkins would move over to the slot in his place. . . . Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox says the Eagles defense needs a different mind-set from the outset this week. "We have to come out this weekend and set the tone and be the hammer and not the nail this week," Cox said. . . . Vikings injuries: Tight end McCoyle Pruitt (knee/ankle) and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) are out. Floyd is a product of Philadelphia's George Washington High. Also for the Minnesota, wide receiver Jarius Wright (ankle) is doubtful and receivers Stefon Diggs (groin) and Laquon Treadwell (thumb) are questionable. Diggs, who leads the Vikings in receptions (25) and receiving yards (372) despite missing one game, was a full participant in practice Friday.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard