Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson normally doesn't move his cornerbacks around. His starting left cornerback covers whoever lines up on the left side and his starting right cornerback covers whoever lines up on the right side. But when the Eagles played the Cowboys last December, he decided to change course and assigned his left corner, Lito Sheppard, to cover Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens. Owens, who had 10 receptions for 175 yards in a 38-17 Cowboys win over the Eagles the month before, was held to two catches for 37 yards by Sheppard and the Eagles won the game, 10-6. Sheppard has since lost his starting job to Asante Samuel. Johnson, though, said he is considering having Samuel cover Owens exclusively Monday night.
PLAYER NOTES
--WR Reggie Brown, who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, participated on a limited basis in Thursday's practice and still is questionable for Monday night's game against the Cowboys.
--RB Brian Westbrook figures to be a bigger part of the Eagles' passing game than he was in Week 1 when he caught just 2 passes for 1 yard.
--DE Chris Clemons is expected to play a lot more than he did in Week 1. Clemons, who missed most of the preseason with a calf injury, was on the field for just 9 of the Eagles' defensive snaps against the Rams.
--DB Jonathan Hefney was signed to the practice squad, replacing Kyle Arrington, who was released. Hefney was signed as an undrafted free agent by Tampa Bay after the draft, but was released in July. He played at the University of Tennessee.
--RB Lorenzo Booker figures to be a bigger part of the offense Monday night against the Cowboys than he was in Week 1 against the Rams. Booker was on the field for just four plays in the first three quarters.
GAMEPLAN: The Eagles know they must get pressure on the quarterback if they hope to beat the Cowboys Monday night. Last November, they never got close to Tony Romo and he completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns and the Cowboys cruised to a 38-17 victory. In their Week 15 rematch, the Eagles sacked Romo four times and pressured him on numerous other occasions. He completed just 13 of 36 passes and threw three interceptions and the Eagles beat Dallas, 10-6.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Cowboys LT Flozell Adams -- The 6-7 Adams has had problems with the 6-2 Cole, who can get up under Adams' pads.
Eagles SLB Chris Gocong and FS Brian Dawkins vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten: Eagles need to stop Witten more than they do Terrell Owens.
Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Cowboys CB Anthony Henry: Henry is no match for Jackson in a foot race. But his size may give him an advantage in press coverage.
INJURY IMPACT: WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) is 50-50 for the game after missing the Eagles' Week 1 win over the Rams.
--WR Kevin Curtis could be back by the middle of next month. He had surgery on August 21 to repair a sports hernia.
--S Sean Considine, who suffered a hand injury in last week's game against the Rams, participated fully in practice Thursday and is expected to play Monday night against the Cowboys.
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