Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Eagles: Tight end L.J. Smith said Monday he’s resigned to the possibility of entering the regular season without taking a snap in the two remaining preseason games. “I’m trying to get better so that maybe I can take some reps in the preseason, but if I don’t then I don’t,” said Smith, who injured his groin during non-contact drills at training camp Aug. 9. “It is the preseason, and the goal is to have a healthy season,” said Smith, who said he’s feeling much better. Before his latest injury, Smith had almost fully recovered from sports hernia surgery, but was set back for a second time just four days before Philadelphia’s first preseason game. Team trainers believe that Smith’s groin discomfort is not connected to the May hernia. “I’ve never really had a groin problem, so it’s kind of weird. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary other than run a route,” Smith said. Now Smith’s objective is clear — get healthy enough to play in the season opener September 9. Last year, Smith caught 50 passes for 611 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. He has missed only one game in his Eagles’ career. In Smith’s absence, rookie tight end Brent Celek and veteran Matt Schobel have thrived. The fifth-round draft choice out of Cincinnati leads the team in receptions (8) and receiving yards (104) through two preseason games. Schobel has four catches for 81 yards. “They’re playing well. I’m sure they wish that their stats counted,” Smith said. “I’m all for them playing well, I just wish I was out there with them.”
Lions: Detroit activated Shaun Rogers from the physically unable-to-perform list Monday, making one of their best players eligible to practice for the first time this season. Rogers was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2005, when the defensive tackle recorded a career-high 51⁄2 sacks. He enters the season with questions about his play and weight. “Knowing Big Boy, he likes it better that way,” Detroit defensive tackle Corey Redding said last week. “He likes it better when he’s fighting up stream. He don’t like going with the flow. I have no doubt in my mind he will be ready.” Rogers struggled to stay on the field last year, getting suspended by the NFL for four games for taking a banned substance to control his weight. He had knee surgery while he was away from the team and didn’t play after becoming eligible because coach Rod Marinelli ruled he wasn’t healthy. The team put him on injured reserve with four games left, ending his disappointing season. The 6-foot-4 Rogers is listed at 345 pounds. “His weight is coming down, he’s feeling good,” Redding said. “I talk to him every day and can tell his attitude is better, too.”
Giants: Another season, another hamstring injury for starting cornerback Sam Madison. Ineffective at times last season because of a hamstring problem, Madison pulled the muscle in his left leg. His status of the season opener at Dallas Sept. 9 is uncertain, coach Tom Coughlin said. The coach had no news on seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan, whose holdout is now in its fourth week while he decides whether to retire or return for a 15th season. Tony Agnone, Strahan’s agent, expects his client to reach a decision soon. Coughlin said the most serious injury from the 13-12 win over the Ravens Sunday night is a torn Achilles’ tendon sustained by backup receiver Michael Jennings, who will need surgery. The second-year pro will miss the rest of the season. Safety Will Demps, who is fighting James Butler for a starting job, will be out two-to-three weeks with a dislocated right elbow. Backup center Grey Ruegamer will miss the rest of the preseason with a high sprain to the right ankle. Receiver Steve Smith, the second-round draft pick, and defensive tackle Jonas Seawright, both sustained concussions. Smith, who caught a touchdown pass in the game, was feeling much better on Monday, Coughlin said. Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey also experienced tightness in his hamstring. Coughlin hopes he will be able to practice this week.
Cardinals: Starting offensive tackle Oliver Ross will have surgery to repair a torn triceps tendon Thursday. The Cardinals don’t know when Ross will return, and it’s possible he will miss the entire season. Levi Brown, the team’s top draft choice this year, has become the starter at right tackle. Meanwhile, receiver Ahmad Merritt had surgery Monday on his broken right ankle, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Merritt was hurt in a 33-20 preseason loss to Houston Saturday.
Associated Press