From combined dispatches
With two starters ruled out and two others, including running back Brian Westbrook, listed as questionable, the Philadelphia Eagles go into their biggest game of the season with key health issues.
The Eagles (4-2) host the New York Giants (5-2) on Sunday with first place in the NFC East at stake. But Westbrook is questionable after suffering a concussion in Monday’s victory over Washington.
Coach Andy Reid said Friday that receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), defensive end Victor Abiamiri (knee) and special teams standout Dimitri Patterson (hand/quadriceps) won’t play against New York. He also said safety Victor Harris (ankle) and backup defensive end Chris Clemons (elbow) are questionable.
None of them practiced Friday.
“[Westbrook is] going to be a game-day decision,” Reid said. “We’re waiting to get more tests back and see how they look. So far the tests we have done this week have looked OK, but it comes down to a matter of time.”
Westbrook has not practiced all week, but he was on the field with his teammates and seemed in good spirits.
“I know he wants to play,” Reid said. “The experts are looking at this. We have to listen to the doctors.”
GIANTS: Receiver Mario Manningham missed practice with an injured left shoulder.
Manningham hurt the shoulder on the final play of practice Thursday. He was held out of the team’s final workout for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia as a precaution.
“They thought it was better if he just not work today,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “So I’m going to list him as questionable, but hopefully he will make it.”
Manningham has started six of seven games this season, catching 28 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns. If he cannot play, Domenik Hixon or rookie Hakeem Nicks will see more action. Nicks has touchdowns receptions in four straight games.
VIKINGS: Minnesota will be without Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield when it faces Green Bay in a key NFC North game.
Winfield was listed as out in Friday’s injury report. He also missed last week’s game against Pittsburgh because of the injured right foot.
Coach Brad Childress said he saw Winfield make progress throughout the week but not enough to get on the field for Brett Favre’s highly anticipated return to Lambeau Field.
CHIEFS: Larry Johnson remained a member of Kansas City late Friday afternoon, but no one could say how much longer that might be the case.
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, said there had been no progress in discussions with the team over the future of the suspended running back.
Shortly after the Chiefs suspended their troubled running back Wednesday for two weeks, Schaffer said he had spoken with the players union and would appeal.
He has also been talking with Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli about some sort of agreement that could affect the future for Johnson, who needs only 75 yards to break Kansas City’s career rushing record.
JAGUARS: Cornerback Rashean Mathis won’t play Sunday at Tennessee because of a broken finger.
Mathis, who broke a bone in his left index finger Oct. 18 against St. Louis, was ruled out Friday by coach Jack Del Rio.
JETS: Receivers Jerricho Cotchery, David Clowney and Brad Smith are listed as questionable but expected to play against Miami on Sunday.
Cotchery, the team’s leading receiver, played in a loss at Miami on Oct. 12, then sat out a loss to Buffalo and a win at Oakland.
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