PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Now the defense is nicked up for the Philadelphia Eagles.

All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins and Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter sat out Philadelphia Eagles’ practice Wednesday, but neither is expected to miss Sunday’s game at Dallas. Both are listed as questionable.

Dawkins injured his ankle in the Eagles’ comeback victory over Kansas City, but finished the game. An MRI showed no severe damage. Trotter has a quadriceps contusion.

“It’s better than it was yesterday,” said Dawkins, who participated in the morning walkthrough. “You can never tell with an ankle injury. I can’t sit here and try to explain to you the details of it, but everybody’s different. I just have to hit the treatment hard.”

Defensive tackle Darwin Walker, who missed the previous two games with a thigh contusion, also didn’t practice. He’s doubtful for this week.

“It’s a coin flip today whether he makes it back or not,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said.

The biggest injury concern so far this season has been quarterback Donovan McNabb playing with a sports hernia, bruised chest and shin contusion. Also, wide receiver Terrell Owens continues to be nagged by soreness in his lower abdomen.

The injuries have limited McNabb and forced him to play through pain, but his overall performance hasn’t declined. McNabb has thrown for 1,333 yards and 11 touchdowns while becoming the first player in team history to pass for more than 300 yards in three consecutive games.

“Some weeks it’ll feel pretty good. Some weeks it’ll bother you,” McNabb said of the sports hernia, a tear in the abdominal area. “So, as of right now it’s to a point where it’s easy. I can handle it.”

Kicker David Akers, whose hamstring injury forced linebacker Mark Simoneau to attempt two extra points and third-string tight end Mike Bartrum to handle some kickoffs, saw another doctor this week.

Reid said the second opinion confirmed the team’s original diagnosis of a torn hamstring. Akers won’t play against the Cowboys, but Reid said he’s week to week. Some reports had Akers missing 8-to-10 weeks.

“He’s going to work like crazy to get back. It’s going to take some time,” Reid said. “It’s important we see how the healing process goes. Everybody is different how they heal.”

Todd France kicked three field goals in Akers’ absence against the Chiefs. Reid will keep both kickers on the 53-man roster for now.

Reserve defensive end Trent Cole (hamstring) also didn’t practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, defensive end Jerome McDougle is making progress after he was shot in the abdomen during a robbery attempt the night before training camp opened.

McDougle has been working with the strength and conditioning coaches, and is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list and practice after next week’s bye.

“I had an opportunity to watch him through his workouts the last week or so and he is making good progress,” Reid said. “We will see how he does here in the next week or so. Right now he is progressing like he should be. He is working like crazy and doing a lot of good things out there.”

AP-ES-10-05-05 1703EDT


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.