Sheppard hurts left knee

As if things weren't bad enough, one of the Eagles' only proven defensive playmakers - cornerback Lito Sheppard - is hurt again. It is a knee, again.

In the second quarter of the opener this season at Green Bay, Sheppard suffered an MCL sprain that knocked him out for the remainder of that game and for the next 4 weeks. In the third quarter last night - with the result still somewhat in doubt, way before the final score of Dallas 38, Eagles 17, was written - Sheppard had to come out again. The Eagles announced that it was a left knee injury, but offered no other details. Sheppard did not return.

In the second quarter last night, it was Sheppard who came up with what seemed to be a huge interception at the time, with the Cowboys leading by 14-7 and threatening to score. It was his first interception of the season, but the seventh of his career against the Cowboys (out of 16 interceptions). It didn't turn out to be such a big deal when Donovan McNabb threw a terrible interception a couple of plays later, leading to another Dallas touchdown.

After the game, Sheppard said he didn't know if he could play Sunday at Washington. Andy Reid said Sheppard would have an MRI today.

That any continued loss of Sheppard's services would further cripple the Eagles' defense goes without saying. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the few Eagles who seems to have any kind of a nose for the football right now. *

- Rich Hofmann