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Injuries.
In a matter-of-fact tone, Eagles coach Andy Reid starts every one of his news conferences with that single word.
This season, almost without fail, Reid has followed up "injuries" with a long list of ailments that have threatened his team's potential for success.
Such was the scenario again yesterday at the NovaCare Complex. This time, the coach reeled off the injury status of nine players the day after the Eagles' 24-17 victory over the New York Jets pushed them over the .500 mark, to 4-3, for the first time this season.
The most serious was a torn left biceps that has ended the season for defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and left the Eagles dangerously thin along the defensive line. Thomas, who is tied with Darwin Walker for the team lead in tackles for losses with 21/2, will undergo surgery today. He had been making a successful comeback after missing last season and the final five games of 2001 with a foot injury.
"It was a freak play," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "There were two plays left in the game, and he reached out to get the quarterback. We'll miss him, there's no question about that. But I still think we have a plan of operation."
With Thomas gone, the Eagles are down to just two defensive tackles with NFL experience: Walker and his fellow starter, Corey Simon. Reserve Paul Grasmanis was lost for the season when he tore an Achilles tendon in the second game of the season, against New England.
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In a matter-of-fact tone, Eagles coach Andy Reid starts every one of his news conferences with that single word.
This season, almost without fail, Reid has followed up "injuries" with a long list of ailments that have threatened his team's potential for success.
Such was the scenario again yesterday at the NovaCare Complex. This time, the coach reeled off the injury status of nine players the day after the Eagles' 24-17 victory over the New York Jets pushed them over the .500 mark, to 4-3, for the first time this season.
The most serious was a torn left biceps that has ended the season for defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and left the Eagles dangerously thin along the defensive line. Thomas, who is tied with Darwin Walker for the team lead in tackles for losses with 21/2, will undergo surgery today. He had been making a successful comeback after missing last season and the final five games of 2001 with a foot injury.
"It was a freak play," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "There were two plays left in the game, and he reached out to get the quarterback. We'll miss him, there's no question about that. But I still think we have a plan of operation."
With Thomas gone, the Eagles are down to just two defensive tackles with NFL experience: Walker and his fellow starter, Corey Simon. Reserve Paul Grasmanis was lost for the season when he tore an Achilles tendon in the second game of the season, against New England.
more
