EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Nnamdi Asomugha was benched in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 42-7 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, ending his disappointing season.
Asomugha said he hopes to return to the Eagles in 2013 and did not interpret the benching as a sign that the Eagles do not want him back.
"I think that was just a matter of [defensive coordinator Todd Bowles] saying, 'You come out for this series and get it together,' as opposed to, 'We're done,' " Asomugha said.
Asomugha was called for pass interference twice and allowed a touchdown pass.
"This was just one of those games where a lot of things happened that were just explainable," Asomugha said. "There was a touchdown the guy should have never caught. I was in good position for it, I just had to locate the ball."
Asomugha has been the source of criticism since he signed a five-year, $60 million contract in 2011. He is due to make $15 million next season, with $4 million guaranteed.
Guard Danny Watkins, the Eagles' first-round pick in 2011, was a healthy scratch for the second straight week. Watkins has not been a good fit in offensive line coach Howard Mudd's scheme, but Mudd is set to retire, and a change might help resuscitate Watkins' career.
Rookie starters Mychal Kendricks and Fletcher Cox were out with concussions. Running back Chris Polk (toe) was also inactive along with tight end Evan Moore (back).
The other inactive Eagles were offensive lineman Matt Kopa and wide receiver Greg Salas, neither of whom has been active all season.
Carrying signs to express their gratitude and their choice of love over violence in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, about 400 residents of Newtown, Conn., attended the game. The Newtown massacre took place Dec. 14 when a gunman fatally shot 20 children and six adults in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
Linebacker Casey Matthews left the game with a concussion. Linebacker Ryan Rau suffered a high-ankle sprain. . . . Quarterback Trent Edwards saw his first game action of the season. He completed two passes for 14 yards.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
