CINCINNATI - The Eagles' job for protecting Donovan McNabb got a little easier Sunday.
The Bengals were without the services of defensive end Antwan Odom who is out with a shoulder injury. Odom entered the game tied for the team lead with two sacks. The Bengals have only nine sacks as a team this season. Frostee Rucker, a former teammate of Eagles defensive tackle at USC, started for Odom.
Odom wasn't the only key player absent from the Bengals lineup. Two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer was declared out earlier in the week because of an elbow injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick made his sixth start of the season in Palmer's absence. Fitzpatrick earned his first-career win two weeks ago when the Bengals ousted the Jaguars 21-19.
There were no surprises on the Eagles' inactive list. Guard Shawn Andrews was the only injury-related deactivation; he is out as he is in California recovering from back surgery.
The rest of the Eagles inactives were: QB A.J. Feeley, RB Lorenzo Booker, FB Kyle Eckel, LB Joe Mays, G Mike McGlynn, DE Bryan Smith and TE Matt Schobel.
The rest of the Bengals inactives were: DE/LB Eric Henderson, T Anthony Collins, TE Nate Lawrie, WR Andre Caldwell, WR Jerome Simpson and DT Jason Shirley.
