Jim Johnson has gone to using four defensive ends in his nickel alignment. Ends Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard move inside to tackle and Trent Cole and Juqua Parker, or occasionally Chris Clemons, line up on the outside. The move has reduced the number of reps for his two starting DTs, Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley. But it keeps them fresh to play the run on first and second down.
PLAYER NOTES
--RB Brian Westbrook was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day with a sore knee. But there's little chance that he won't play Sunday night against the Giants.
--CB Joselio Hanson, who will be the team's third corner Sunday night if Lito Sheppard can't play, did not practice Thursday because of a sore hamstring. He was a limited participant in practice the day before.
--CB Lito Sheppard didn't practice for the second straight day. He's nursing a groin injury and probably won't play Sunday against the Giants.
--S Brian Dawkins did not practice Thursday because of a sore hamstring. His status for Sunday's game is uncertain.
--TE L.J. Smith practiced for the second straight day and is expected to play Sunday night. He missed last week's game with a concussion.
--RG Shawn Andrews, who had back surgery in California two weeks ago, still hasn't been cleared by doctors to return to Philadelphia and continue his rehab there. The Eagles still are hopeful Andrews might be able to return to play in December.
--CB Asante Samuel probably will spend the most amount of time covering Giants WR Plaxico Burress Sunday night.
GAME PLAN: The Eagles and Giants haven't been particularly good in the red zone this season, which is a big reason they rank second and fourth, respectively, in field goal attempts. If the Eagles are to beat the Giants, they must maximize their red-zone opportunities and put the ball in the end zone, rather than settle for field goals.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles CB Asante Samuel vs. Giants WR Plaxico Burress -- Burress has been a thorn in the Eagles' side, averaging 17.6 yards per catch and catching six TD passes in seven games against the Eagles.
Eagles RG Max Jean-Gilles vs. Giants DE/DT Justin Tuck: When Tuck, the team's starting LE, moves inside on passing downs, Jean-Gilles must hold him off.
Eagles MLB Stewart Bradley vs. Giants RBs Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward: Bradley is the key man in a run defense that has held six of eight opponents to less than 90 rushing yards.
INJURY IMPACT: Tuck wouldn't be such a concern to the Eagles when he moves inside to DT if Pro Bowl RG Shawn Andrews were healthy. But he's out recovering from back surgery. His replacement, Max Jean-Gilles, has played adequately, but doesn't have the athleticism that Andrews had.
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