Playoff veteran Samuel sits out practice with hip strain
January 3
Camden Courier-Post
"Cornerback Asante Samuel did not practice with the Eagles on Friday after sustaining what coach Andy Reid described as a hip strain.
Reid said he thought Samuel would be available for Sunday's playoff game at Minnesota.
"We'll see how it goes over the next couple of days,'' Reid said, noting that Samuel first sustained the injury during a team workout on Thursday.
Samuel has built much of his reputation in the playoffs. He has returned three postseason interceptions for touchdowns.
While playing his first five seasons with the New England Patriots he recorded five interceptions in 14 postseason games, including two Super Bowls.
Samuel has returned seven interceptions for touchdowns since 2003, more than any other player in the NFL during that span. That includes a 50-yarder for the Eagles this season.
He has four interceptions this season, giving him 20 over the past three seasons.
Reid was asked about the value of having veterans like Samuel and safety Brian Dawkins on the field in the playoffs.
"It's important,'' he said. "I think it helps, for sure. But it's also important that they prepared to do the right things to that point. That's normally what those guys do. That's what they bring to your team.''
Letdown concernsFollowing the improbable results from last Sunday -- including the Eagles' playoff-clinching 44-6 win over Dallas -- Reid was asked whether he feared a letdown this week. He said a good start would help allay some of those fears.
"You're always striving for a quick start," Reid said. "But if it doesn't happen, you don't just throw in the towel. There's no time for all that emotional up and down stuff. It's single elimination, and everybody knows it.''
Other injuriesReid said guard Shawn Andrews and defensive lineman Victor Abiamiri will miss the game. Offensive tackle Jon Runyan (knee sprain) didn't practice Friday. Runyan has lined up for 194 straight games. If he starts, it would be his 19th playoff start, second only to Brett Favre's 22."
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