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Sore Foot Hampers Dawkins



November 19, 2003
By DAVID MURPHY

Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins will be limited in practice this week and for the rest of the season, says head coach Andy Reid.
Dawkins did not practice Wednesday and may rest again on Thursday, but could still play on Sunday against the Saints. Dawkins is experiencing soreness in the foot that caused him to miss all but two games this season.

"It's sore, inflamed," said Dawkins

When asked if he's optimistic about playing on Sunday against the Saints, Dawkins said: "We'll have to see. We'll have to see how it goes in the next couple of days."

Reid said that the soreness was expected, and he's optimistic of having Dawkins in the lineup this weekend.

"We'll strap him up here and let him rest," said Reid.

Sunday was Dawkins' first action since he sprained the Lis Franc joint in his foot in the season opener against Tampa Bay. He registered five tackles and a pair of pass breakups in the win over New York.

Dawkins will participate in preparation for New Orleans in every other facet aside from actual physical practice. He will watch practice, study film, attend meetings and prepare as if he is going to start the game.

If he can't, first-year man Clinton Hart will be back in. Hart was back on special teams last week, but still played 15 defensive snaps. He'll see first-team defensive reps this week in practice.

"He's going play if he can play," Hart said. "That's just Dawkins. He wants to be out there."



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In other injury news, starting cornerback Bobby Taylor is "most likely" out of Sunday' game against New Orleans. He saw a third doctor earlier this week and continues to rehab his injured foot.

Reid said Taylor was making progress, but would not address the comments made by Taylor's agent in various Philadelphia newspapers that were critical of the way the Eagles have treated the cornerback's injury.

The coach simply said that he has full confidence in his athletic training staff.

Starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker (abdomen), starting guard John Welbourn (knee) and rookie tight end L.J. Smith (sprained MCL) all did not practice Wednesday. Smith and Walker should be ready to play on Sunday.