EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Philadelphia Eagles' 34-26 victory over the New York Giants:
Shadow over Shady: There were 4½ minutes left in a meaningless game when LeSean McCoy went down with an injury to his left knee. The Eagles’ Pro Bowl running back lay on his back on the artificial turf and pondered how much damage there was.
“I thought so [it was serious],” McCoy said. “I’ve been in that position before with my ankle.”
McCoy limped off and was examined by the medical staff. Before the game was over, he was lobbying coach Chip Kelly to return to the field. He did not, but that was a good sign.
Corner intrigue: Rookie cornerback Jaylen Watkins was pressed into action when Nolan Carroll, who was filling in for the injured Bradley Fletcher, was being examined for a concussion. Watkins made one nice play to break up a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. Later, though, Beckham beat Watkins with a double move and wound up with a 63-yard touchdown.
“When I’m lining up in front of him, I know the ball’s coming my way,” Watkins said.
Veteran Cary Williams was assigned to Beckham most of the game.
Good but not great: Eagles owner Jeff Lurie addressed reporters in the locker room.
“Gut-wrenching,” Lurie said. “I can’t remember in all my time any better motivated or better group of players.”
Lurie said the Eagles are “pretty close. I think we’ve got a really good nucleus of young players. It’s all in front of us. … We’ve just got to get better.”
