Running back LeSean McCoy was back on the practice field Thursday as the team held its workout inside the bubble facility at the NovaCare Complex. McCoy missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury he suffered in Saturday's win over Dallas.
McCoy was listed as limited on the team's official injury report, but has every intention of playing Sunday.
"Over the course of the season, you forge a bond with certain players," McCoy said. "You go through hard times together. We celebrate all of the good times together. Going out as one team would be good for everyone."
However, there was no sign of cornerback Asante Samuel on the practice field. Samuel suffered a hamstring injury in the December 18 win over the Jets and missed the Cowboys game. Head coach Andy Reid declared on Wednesday that it would be "a stretch" for Samuel to play in the season finale against the Redskins. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would start at left cornerback if Samuel is sidelined again.
Samuel was the only player to miss practice. Offensive tackle Todd Herremans (ankle), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (knee), linebacker Brian Rolle (ankle) and defensive end Darryl Tapp (ribs) were full participants in Thursday's practice.
Running backs Ronnie Brown and Dion Lewis split the first-team reps in Wednesday's practice. Brown said on Thursday that he expects McCoy to play Sunday. With McCoy's Pro Bowl season, Brown has been utilized in a limited capacity with 36 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown this season.
The 6-0, 230-pound Brown is not signed beyond this season, an intriguing one that included a midseason trade to Detroit that was nixed because of Jerome Harrison's failed physical due to the discovery of a brain tumor. Brown has handled himself like a true professional this season and believes that "something good is going to come out of it."
"(Being a professional) entails coming in and doing what's expected of you - meetings, being on time, doing those types of things, as well as whatever it takes to help this football team win. That was my goal, my mentality coming in," the Pro Bowl running back said. "Things have happened. I've grown from those things. It's just a different situation, but for myself, I always try to approach it like something good is going to come out of it. I still feel like I have a lot left, so we'll see what happens."
Lewis, a fifth-round pick this year out of McCoy's alma mater, Pitt, has been utilized more as a kickoff returner this season. As a running back, Lewis has 11 carries for 44 yards. On kickoff return duties, Lewis is averaging 21.6 yards per return this season. Chad Hall is set to handle the kickoff return duties on Sunday. Lewis hopes to get some additional reps with the offense on Sunday.
"It'll be real important especially from an experience standpoint," Lewis said. "The more experience, the more reps you get in a game, the more comfortable you become, so it'll be good."
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