EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Head coach Andy Reid said after Sunday's unbelievable 38-31 come-from-behind win over the New York Giants that free safety Nate Allen's season is over after he ruptured the patellar tendon in his knee. It's the only bad news to come out of the win that goes a long, long way towards winning the NFC East division.
The injury took place late in the second quarter on a pass over the middle to wide receiver Mario Manningham. Linebacker Jamar Chaney made the tackle and Allen tried to stop, but slid and his knee banged awkwardly into the Giants receiver.
"That's tough. I hate to see him go down," said strong safety Quintin Mikell. "He's having a great year. He's playing at a high level for a rookie. I'm sad to see him go down."
Allen, the team's second-round pick, was the opening day starter at free safety and had an impressive first month, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors. Allen was replaced in the lineup by Kurt Coleman, the team's seventh-round pick out of Ohio State. Coleman finished with four tackles, one of them for a loss, and a pass deflection.
"Kurt stepped in and did a great job," Mikell said. "He didn't get a whole lot of reps this week and he did well. I'm fortunate that he's such a football player. He's a football player through and through and he did great."
Coleman said that he's ready for the job moving forward.
"Absolutely. They brought me on this team for a reason," Coleman said. "I just kept plugging away throughout the season. I've been able to get better and better as the games have gone on. Q's been helping me out tremendously. I'm definitely going to be ready next week."
It's the second straight week where the Eagles have lost a top draft pick to a knee injury. Last week, it was first-round selection Brandon Graham - who made the trip to New York to see the game and celebrated with his teammates in the locker room after the miraculous win.
*-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:55 p.m., December 19
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