Head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday morning that offensive tackle Winston Justice (knee hyperextension) will be the only player to not practice as the Eagles reconvened at the NovaCare Complex to begin preparations for Sunday night's showdown in Dallas. King Dunlap will take Justice's practice reps with the first-team offense at right tackle and start against the Cowboys if Justice can't play.
"We have full confidence in King if he has to be the guy that goes," Reid said.
However, the Eagles will have two of their starters on defense back on the practice field in defensive end Juqua Parker and cornerback Asante Samuel. Parker has missed the last two games with a hip flexor injury. Samuel has been sidelined for the last two weeks with a knee sprain.
"I think they're ready to go," Reid said.
Reid gave his players five days off following last Thursday's win over the Texans. Dallas is only 4-8 this season, but is 3-1 since Jason Garrett took over as the interim head coach for the fired Wade Phillips. Last year, the Cowboys beat the Eagles in all three meetings - including in the wild card round of the playoffs. Reid emphasized that his team must "focus in on playing this football team" and not worry about what happened in the past.
In regards to Dallas' recent improvement, Reid cited three specific reasons - running the ball more, not committing as many turnovers on offense and creating more turnovers on defense. Cowboys running back Felix Jones has received at least 10 carries in each of the four games Garrett has been the interim head coach. He had 10 carries in only two of the previous games. Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna, who took over for the injured Tony Romo, has thrown just two interceptions in the last four games. Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense intercepted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning four times in last week's overtime win.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 11:58 a.m., December 8
