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Eagles Notes
Eagles fullback Thomas Tapeh missed his second day of practice yesterday because of swelling in one of his knees, and coach Andy Reid said it would be a game-time decision whether he plays in tomorrow's divisional matchup in the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints.
Tapeh, who has appeared in every game this season, hurt the knee during the early portion of Wednesday's practice. He is listed as questionable on the Eagles' injury report.
Cornerback Lito Sheppard will miss the game because of a dislocated right elbow, but everyone else on the Eagles' injury report is listed as probable.
Tapeh has enjoyed a successful season primarily blocking for running back Brian Westbrook.
If Tapeh can't go, Reid said, Correll Buckhalter will be the fullback. Backup center Nick Cole, who lines up as a fullback in certain goal-line situations, would not be a fill-in for Tapeh, according to Reid.
Buckhalter has seen some time with Westbrook in the backfield, most notably late in the year. During the Eagles' 36-22 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 17 at the Meadowlands, Buckhalter frequently was paired with Westbrook and gained 48 yards on eight carries.
Playing fullback is "all about having heart," Buckhalter said. "Whatever I need to do to help this team win, I'm willing and ready to do that."
Reid said he was confident that Tapeh would be ready to go. He likened the problem to the injury suffered last week by offensive tackle William Thomas.
Thomas did not practice last Friday after experiencing knee swelling the night before, but he played the entire game in Sunday's 23-20 wild-card win over the Giants.
"We think Thomas [Tapeh] is going to be ready to go, so I'm not too worried about it," Reid said.
Buckhalter had not played fullback until this year, but Westbrook said he did not see that as a problem.
"He can block well, and I'll have the same comfort zone with Buck or Thomas," Westbrook said.
Tapeh remained upbeat as he walked - with a slight limp - out of the locker room.
"I feel great," Tapeh said, never breaking stride. "I'll be out there."
Sheppard update
Reporters saw Sheppard in the locker room for the first time this week, and everyone wanted to know whether he would be able to play next week if the Eagles beat the Saints. He couldn't give a definitive answer, although it appears as if he has quite a way to go.
"I have to wait for the swelling to go down and see how it goes," he said.
Sheppard said it is important for him to regain strength in his elbow before he can think of returning.
"If you dislocate something, you tear ligaments around it; that's how the bone comes out. So it's about: Is it going to do it again?" he said. "How strong can you get it before you can prevent that?"
Though he can't give a timetable, Sheppard hopes to at least have the chance to decide whether he can play next week.
"I hope these guys can take care of business," he said. "At least that would give me the opportunity."
Looking to start
Sheppard will be replaced in the starting lineup by Rod Hood, who has been sidelined for six games because of two injuries.
Hood said that he was 100 percent after suffering first a heel strain and then a hamstring injury and that he looked forward to the opportunity.
He has started five games this year, including last week, when the Eagles opened with three cornerbacks in a nickel defense. During his four-year Eagles career, Hood has started 13 games.
"Last year and when I started this year, I got better as the game progressed," Hood said. "The more I'm in there, the more relaxed I get, and I am able to make more plays."
Hood said he was playing with more confidence.
"It's been tough dealing with injuries," he said. "But I am healthy now and ready to go."
Saints injuries
Receiver Joe Horn, who missed New Orleans' last four games with a groin injury, has not practiced this week.
Safety Omar Stoutmire(knee) did not practice yesterday. Horn and Stoutmire are listed as questionable on the Saints' injury report.
Eagles Notes
Eagles fullback Thomas Tapeh missed his second day of practice yesterday because of swelling in one of his knees, and coach Andy Reid said it would be a game-time decision whether he plays in tomorrow's divisional matchup in the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints.
Tapeh, who has appeared in every game this season, hurt the knee during the early portion of Wednesday's practice. He is listed as questionable on the Eagles' injury report.
Cornerback Lito Sheppard will miss the game because of a dislocated right elbow, but everyone else on the Eagles' injury report is listed as probable.
Tapeh has enjoyed a successful season primarily blocking for running back Brian Westbrook.
If Tapeh can't go, Reid said, Correll Buckhalter will be the fullback. Backup center Nick Cole, who lines up as a fullback in certain goal-line situations, would not be a fill-in for Tapeh, according to Reid.
Buckhalter has seen some time with Westbrook in the backfield, most notably late in the year. During the Eagles' 36-22 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 17 at the Meadowlands, Buckhalter frequently was paired with Westbrook and gained 48 yards on eight carries.
Playing fullback is "all about having heart," Buckhalter said. "Whatever I need to do to help this team win, I'm willing and ready to do that."
Reid said he was confident that Tapeh would be ready to go. He likened the problem to the injury suffered last week by offensive tackle William Thomas.
Thomas did not practice last Friday after experiencing knee swelling the night before, but he played the entire game in Sunday's 23-20 wild-card win over the Giants.
"We think Thomas [Tapeh] is going to be ready to go, so I'm not too worried about it," Reid said.
Buckhalter had not played fullback until this year, but Westbrook said he did not see that as a problem.
"He can block well, and I'll have the same comfort zone with Buck or Thomas," Westbrook said.
Tapeh remained upbeat as he walked - with a slight limp - out of the locker room.
"I feel great," Tapeh said, never breaking stride. "I'll be out there."
Sheppard update
Reporters saw Sheppard in the locker room for the first time this week, and everyone wanted to know whether he would be able to play next week if the Eagles beat the Saints. He couldn't give a definitive answer, although it appears as if he has quite a way to go.
"I have to wait for the swelling to go down and see how it goes," he said.
Sheppard said it is important for him to regain strength in his elbow before he can think of returning.
"If you dislocate something, you tear ligaments around it; that's how the bone comes out. So it's about: Is it going to do it again?" he said. "How strong can you get it before you can prevent that?"
Though he can't give a timetable, Sheppard hopes to at least have the chance to decide whether he can play next week.
"I hope these guys can take care of business," he said. "At least that would give me the opportunity."
Looking to start
Sheppard will be replaced in the starting lineup by Rod Hood, who has been sidelined for six games because of two injuries.
Hood said that he was 100 percent after suffering first a heel strain and then a hamstring injury and that he looked forward to the opportunity.
He has started five games this year, including last week, when the Eagles opened with three cornerbacks in a nickel defense. During his four-year Eagles career, Hood has started 13 games.
"Last year and when I started this year, I got better as the game progressed," Hood said. "The more I'm in there, the more relaxed I get, and I am able to make more plays."
Hood said he was playing with more confidence.
"It's been tough dealing with injuries," he said. "But I am healthy now and ready to go."
Saints injuries
Receiver Joe Horn, who missed New Orleans' last four games with a groin injury, has not practiced this week.
Safety Omar Stoutmire(knee) did not practice yesterday. Horn and Stoutmire are listed as questionable on the Saints' injury report.
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