Injury Bug Bites Eagles, Ends Seasons For Two Key Players

By Ed Benkin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The injury bug which has ravaged the Eagles has ended the season for two players.

On Tuesday, Guard Andrew Gardner and Kicker Cody Parkey were placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. Parkey has a groin tear, while Gardner has a foot injury. Parkey suffered his injury before the start of the game with the Jets on Sunday, and handled the kicking duties as he dealt with the pain. Parkey was told by the team he would not recover in time to go on short-term injured reserve, so Parkey's season is over.

"They said I was going to be out too long," said Parkey. "There was no option other than to do what they did. I'm really glad I'm still with the Eagles, and I'm going to just rehab real hard and come back real strong."

With Parkey out, the Eagles have signed former Dolphins' Kicker Caleb Sturgis. The Florida native was a fifth-round draft pick of Miami's in 2013, but was released by the Dolphins before the start of the 2015 campaign. Sturgis said he has kept himself ready in case a team such as the Eagles came calling, and added he will be more than ready if he is called upon to make a big kick on Sunday.

"I feel really ready," Sturgis said. "This is my third year kicking. Fortunately for me, it's not a big playbook that I have to learn. It's getting used to a great long snapper and a great holder and to just go make field goals and kickoff well."

While the Eagles went outside the organization to find a new kicker, they stayed in-house to select their new starting right guard. Matt Tobin filled in against the Jets when Gardner was injured, and is now ready to take over as the starter with Gardner out for the season.

"I'm excited," said Tobin. "I'm ready to get out there. I want to be as prepared as I can, and I want to have fun, too. I have a lot more experience and I have a feel for the game a little more."

Gardner's injury also effects the rest of the rotation on the offensive line. Tobin had been serving as the primary backup at both guard and tackle. With Tobin starting, Dennis Kelly is now the primary backup as well as the next man up if there is another injury.

"I spent the majority of last year at guard," Kelly said. "It's not like it's a new thing for me. It's just mostly getting all of the assignments right and all of the steps and footwork with the differences between playing inside and outside."

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks and Running Back DeMarco Murray continued to be hampered by hamstring injuries. Their status for Sunday's game well be evaluated throughout the week.

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