Eagles ball-hawk CB Asante Samuel might not be returning to the field Sunday after all.
Earlier in the week head coach Andy Reid said that he thought the NFL’s leader in interceptions would be back for the Cowboys game after missing two games with a tweaked knee.
But after practicing -- albeit limited -- on Wednesday, Asante sat out practice Thursday due to lingering knee issues. It appears that Asante could be a game-time decision.
The Birds better hope that Asante can go. He is so important to the defense -- just ask defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
“He’s a very good player, very good player,” McDermott said. “[He’s] a Pro Bowl corner. With Asante, though, comes that leadership, that veteran leadership, that experience. When things get out of kilter as they do in the ups and downs of a game, having a veteran player at that corner certainly helps to nail things down. We look forward to having him back.”
McDermott also leveled expectations about Samuel being ready for the Dallas game.
“Day-to-day, we’re just going to see how he responds, you know, as any injury you just want to bring him back slowly.”
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Let’s hope not that slowly. After watching the Eagles D get gashed by Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub the last two games, the need for Asante is more pressing than ever. Especially with interception-prone Jon Kitna (159 career interceptions to 163 career TDs in 135 career games) under center for the Boys.
Stay tuned on this one -- it's possible that Asante sits home instead of traveling to Big D but if he gets on the team's plane than we won't know until game time Sunday night if Asante will be ready.
