It doesnt sound like a big deal.
Turf toe.
The name of it sounds like its kind of friendly, not that bad, Evan Mathis said. But its actually ligament damage inside the toes. I told them to just cut it off, but they said I need it.
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Mathis, the Eagles starting left guard, missed a second consecutive day of practice Thursday with turf toe he suffered in the Eagles loss to the Bears Monday night and appears to be a longshot for Sunday, when the Eagles face the Cards at the Linc.
Mathis moved into the starting lineup just before the regular season began when the Eagles moved Todd Herremans from left guard to right tackle. Mathis has played very well for the Eagles, whose offense is ranked No. 3 overall, No. 1 in rushing and No. 6 in fewest sacks allowed.
Mathis said he hasnt ruled himself out for Sunday.
Im hoping Im day to day, he said. Im hoping the progress continues and I wake up and feel really good. I played three-quarters of the game with it, but I could have been hurting myself more by hurting it. I dont know where Id be if I had come right out of the game.
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It happened early in the game. It was kind of subtle but it got worse and worse. I think I kept re-(injuring) it as the game went on, I dont know.
If Mathis cant play, King Dunlap would get his first NFL start at guard. He would be the Eagles fifth starting guard this year, following Mathis, Todd Herremans, Kyle DeVan and Danny Watkins.
Thats made this a challenging season for rookie center Jason Kelce, who has had to get used to a new guy next to him every couple weeks.
You always develop a certain amount of chemsitry with a guy next to you, and when they throw somebody in there it kind of throws it off a little bit, Kelce said. But I dont think its necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it takes me out of my comfort zone a little bit, but it also gets me getting used to playing next to different guys, because Ive been doing it all season.
Safety Nate Allen also sat out practice and is out for Sunday. Hell be replaced by rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Asante Samuel (lacerated groin) and Juqua Parker (ankle) were limited. Brandon Graham (knee), Winston Justice (knee), Kelce (quad) and LeSean McCoy (shoulder) were full participants.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.