PHILADELPHIA — Asante Samuel and DeSean Jackson are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
The Eagles’ top two playmakers seemed fairly confident they would play in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season.
“DeSean and Asante practiced today and I think both of them feel a little bit better,” Andy Reid said Friday. “We’ll see how they do (today).”
Jackson had not taken reps the previous two days due to a sprained foot suffered in the win over Dallas.
The third-year wide receiver displayed a noticeable limp in the locker room Friday, but insisted he was feeling better than he had all week.
“I did a lot more (in practice) today than (Thursday),” Jackson said. “It (hurts) going side to side. Straight ahead running is not too bad.
“I should be good to go.”
Jackson has been the Eagles’ most newsworthy player this week.
Last Sunday night in Dallas, Jackson prematurely celebrated a touchdown reception and blatantly showed up the Cowboys. Jackson earned a 15-yard penalty and an ear-lashing from his head coach.
Michael Vick also disapproved of the move, saying it was unnecessary.
The next day, Jackson was a guest on Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocino’s talk show and discussed his desire for a contract extension.
Regardless of the distractions, his status for Sunday remained top priority.
Despite not being at full strength for most of the year, Jackson is producing All-Pro numbers with 42 receptions for 972 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m not into sitting games out,” he said. “It’s still day by day. The biggest thing I say is, I can’t let my troops go out there and go to war without me. At the end of the day, I’ve still got two days to get ready, so I should be fine. Practice today, I did some things. It felt pretty good. I’ve still got two days, so we’ll see how it goes.
“Getting a concussion is obviously very serious, but a foot injury is not really too serious, like a head injury. So I should be alright.”
Samuel, meanwhile, has sat out the last three games because of knee injury, but has practiced all week.
Samuel has gradually increased his workload in practice throughout the week.
“I feel pretty good and excited, but I’m taking it one day at a time,” said Samuel, who leads the league seven interceptions. Like I said from the beginning, each day I wake up and it’s a better day. Every day feels better, so I’m just looking forward to (today) and the next day. I felt good, though.”
Samuel’s injury could linger for the remainder of the regular season and perhaps into the playoffs, if the Eagles are lucky enough to get there.
“It gets a little frustrating, but I’m making strides,” he said.
“If I step out on that field, man, I can’t afford to lack confidence.”
The Eagles can’t afford to be without the talent the caliber of Jackson and Samuel. For the Eagles, it’s simple. A win against the Giants will give them the NFC East title, but a loss will jeopardize their playoff positioning.
“We’re playing on the road and it’s a tough environment,” said Vick, who completed 24 of 38 pass attempts for 258 yards in the Eagles’ Week 11 victory over New York. It was the only game this season in which Vick started and didn’t throw a passing score.
“We just come to play. At the end of the day, we just come to play. It’s going to be a fun football game. This is what it’s all about. All the great ones have to go through it, so we’re not going through anything different.”
Vick mentioned the importance of taking care of the football against the Giants’ fierce pass rush.
Osi Umenyiora leads the way with 10 sacks, followed by Justin Tuck, who has taken down quarterbacks 8 ½ times. Vick has been sacked on 25 occasions (2.5 per game).
“We just have to protect the ball,” Vick said.
“The team that doesn’t turn the ball over the most, almost 95 percent of the time in this league, wins the game.”
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