With about a half hour to go in yesterday's workout at the NovaCare Complex's indoor facility, Eagles defensive end Darren Howard left practice.
Howard suffered a strained groin in last week's 27-24 loss at New Orleans. He was unavailable for comment after practice, and hadn't practiced this week until yesterday.
"Darren Howard only took a few reps," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "We're just being conservative with his groin [to] make sure that he is ready to go on Sunday."
Howard is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If he is unavailable, it would put a bigger load on a defensive line that already has lost end Jevon Kearse with a season-ending knee injury.
The Eagles lead the NFL with 23 sacks but have not had any in two of the last three games, as opponents are beginning to use quicker three-step drops to avoid the rush.
Howard had 16 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and five quarterback hurries while starting the first six games.
"If he is or isn't there, you still have to play your game," said defensive end Trent Cole, who leads the team with six sacks. "I won't try to do any more or less. I just want to get to the quarterback."
Reserve defensive ends Juqua Thomas and Jerome McDougle may need to step up.
"The thing about that position is we have a lot of good players," defensive tackle Darwin Walker said. "A lot of people probably don't recognize a guy like Juqua Thomas, who has played so well, and Jerome McDougle and Trent Cole. I think they'll fall right in place."
More injury updates. All the injured Eagles with the exception of cornerback Roderick Hood were on the practice field.
Wide receiver DontĀ Stallworth, who has missed two straight games and three of the last four with a hamstring strain, did light work, running a few routes.
Stallworth is listed as questionable. He missed the Eagles' victory at San Francisco on Sept. 24 and returned the next week in the triumph over Green Bay, in which he reinjured the hamstring.
He said yesterday's work was the most he had done at practice in weeks.
Stallworth couldn't say for sure whether he would play against the 1-4 Bucs.
"It will probably be a game-time decision," he said. "I felt good, but I felt good against Green Bay, too."
Stallworth added that the final decision would be made by Reid and trainer Rick Burkholder.
As much as he wanted to return, Stallworth said he had to be cautious.
