Takeo Spikes is done for the season

The Eagles' starting weakside linebacker is out for the season with a torn rotator cuff. He'll have surgery on Friday.

Spikes was most emotional about the fact that he won't get the chance to play against Buffalo here in Philly in the last week of the season. Andy Reid said that, had the Eagles not been eliminated from the playoff picture, Spikes would still b headed to injured reserve, but Spikes himself seemed unconvinced, since he atually finished Sunday's game with the injury.

Akeem Jordan will likely take Spikes' place in the base defense, with third-round draft pick Stewart Bradley coming in for nickel situations. In other words, in the base it's Gocong, Gaither and Jordan, and in the nickel it's Gaither and Bradley.

Will Dawkins play?

The inactives are due out at any moment, and the big question is whether the Eagles' All-Pro free safety will make it to the field. He hurt his back in practice on Friday, and the Eagles re-signed reserve Marcus Paschal on Saturday, prompting a widespread belief that Brian Dawkins was more injured than Andy reid originally let on.

UPDATE: Dawkins is active, Paschal is not, so they must be pretty confident that Dawk can go at full speed. Also, Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is active. It had been thought he might miss the game with a hamstring injury. Running back Brandon Jacobs and wide receiver Plaxico Burress are both playing, but safety James Butler is out with a hamstring, further weakening a banged up New York secondary.

Also, Brian Westbrook is going to play.

No Bunkley. It's all about Kimo.

Brodrick Bunkley went from questionable to out with his MCL sprain, which continues to be the injury of the year for the Eagles. The big surprise is that it's the well-rested Kimo von Oelhoffen, 36-year old dude, starting in his place at Mike Patterson's side.

The obvious choice would have been LaJuan Ramsey, who has gotten a lot of time at defensive tackle in recent weeks. The less orthodox choices would have been Darren Howard, who has played some DT on passing downs, or rookie Victor Abiamiri, who the Eagles have moved all around the line in his few opportunities to dress. Victor is not dressed today, and neither is Montae Reagor, another capable defensive tackle.

Kimo has not been in the active lineup since Week 3 against the Lions, by the way.