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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Daniels Listed As Doubftul For Philly Game

Slowed by a foot injury, defensive end Phillip Daniels sat out practice all last week and his availability for Monday night's game against Philadelphia is in doubt.

After being listed as questionable on Friday, Daniels was downgraded to doubful on Saturday..

Daniels suffered the injury in the Redskins' Week 1 game against Miami.

If Daniels can't play, then he would likely be replaced by Demetric Evans, a sixth-year player who has 8.5 career sacks. He has been a reserve most of his career.

Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams maintained that Daniels' status is day to day. From an overall perspective, he praised Evans' versatility.

"The more you can do is the position that Demetric is in," Williams said. "He can play either end. He can go inside and play tackle, which has shown in games where he has to play against the run and he has been able rush the passer inside.

"His versatility helps us a lot when you're only dressing seven defensive linemen."

Meantime, cornerback Fred Smoot was downgraded to questionable after missing Saturday's practice due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice.

If Smoot can't play, then Carlos Rogers and Shawn Springs would likely be the starting cornerbacks on Monday night.

Backup safety Vernon Fox is listed as doubtful due to a groin injury. Like Daniels, he suffered the injury in the Miami game.

Another reserve safety, Pierson Prioleau, was upgraded to probable on Saturday. He practiced despite a hamstring injury.

With Smoot, Fox and Priolaeu slowed by injury, it's increasingly likely that Omar Stoutmire, re-signed earlier this week, will see game action against the Eagles.

Tight end Todd Yoder was listed as probable on the Redskins' injury report. Yoder has an ankle injury.

-- DEFENSIVE TEST: STOPPING THE RUN

The sequence still bothers Gregg Williams. Washington's defense needed to stop the Eagles late in the fourth quarter to give the Redskins another chance to win the game.

Instead, the Eagles got three first downs to cement the game. Brian Westbrook's 12-yard pickup sealed the win right before the two-minute warning.

Westbrook finished with 88 rushing yards on 17 carries, a 5.2 yards-per-carry average, in that game.

"Philadelphia was able to do some things at the end of the game, hold the ball and run the ball," he said. "We weren't able to get off the field and we need to do a better job of that this year."

After finishing 29th overall in run defense last year, the Redskins' defense got off to a strong start in the season opener against Miami.

The unit allowed just 66 yards of rushing offense in the Redskins' 16-13 overtime win.

"Our whole front eight has played very strong throughout training camp and throughout the first ballgame," Williams said.

-- PORTIS: 'THIS IS A BIG GAME'

Clinton Portis views Monday night's game as a huge opportunity for the Redskins.

With a win, the Redskins would go to 2-0. The Eagles, regarded as the preseason favorite to win the NFC East, would drop to 0-2.

"We want to win this division and this is step one in doing that," he said. "We have a big opportunity on Monday night, at their home field. We know they are going to come out and give us everything they have, being that they are already down one game.

"This would be a big win for them, but it will be an even bigger win for us, if we can get it."

Portis said his knee felt fine after getting his first extensive work of the year in the Redskins' season opener against Miami.

Portis logged 17 carries for 98 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run.

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