Despite taking a lot of punishment over the last several weeks, the Redskins starting defensive line has been battling through pain to stay in games. Starting defensive tackles Joe Salave’a (planter fasciitis) and Cornelius Griffin (hip flexor) headline this week’s injury report. Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as are safety Omar Stoutmire (hamstring) and Robert Royal (calf). Offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee), defensive end Phillip Daniels (ankle), running back Ladell Betts (shoulder), h-back Chris Cooley (hip) and Santana Moss (illness) are all listed as probable.
On the Eagles injury front, wide receiver Terrell Owens is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.
Despite Owens’ current status, Head Coach Joe Gibbs said on Wednesday that he still expects Owens to play against the Redskins.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb missed practice on Wednesday due to a chest contusion but is listed on Philadelphia’s injury report as probable. Cornerback Lito Sheppard (knee), safety Michael Lewis (quadricep), linebackers Jeremiah Trotter (knee), Jason Short (ankle), Zeke Moreno (groin), and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (thigh) are all listed as probable. Listed as questionable are defensive ends Jevon Kearse and N.D. Kalu, both with shoulder injuries. Kicker David Akers (right hamstring) and defensive tackle Sam Rayburn (stinger) are questionable as well.
The Eagles also placed punter Dirk Johnson on inured reserve with a groin injury and signed rookie punter Reggie Hodges, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2005 Draft.
Hog Wire Notebook
Coach Joe Gibbs said he expects to make a decision regarding the kicking situation by the end of the week. With the activation of veteran John Hall against the Giants, it is expected that rookie Nick Novak will be released by the team and sign with another team very quickly.
If Terrell Owens is unable to play, wide receiver Darnerien McCants may be activated by the Eagles and see some playing time against his former team.
On Tuesday, the Redskins released linebacker Zak Keasey and defensive lineman Lynn McGruder from the practice squad. Offensive lineman Ikechuku Nduwke was signed to the practice squad, as was linebacker Nick McNeil, who was released by the Redskins on October 25th.
According to the Washington Post, linebacker LaVar Arrington may make his first start of the season against the Eagles in place of Warrick Holdman, who has been the center of attention on several big plays given up by the defense this season.
Sunday night will pit the NFL’s top ranked passing offense (Philadelphia – 295.7 yards per game) against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense (Redskins – 152.7 yards per game).
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