Left defensive end Juqua Parker is listed as questionable with a hip injury after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, but after Parker practiced Friday, all signs point to the veteran taking his rightful place in the starting lineup.

"He'll be (100 percent) when the game starts," head coach Andy Reid said of Parker. "He was moving around pretty good (today) and feeling pretty good."

Parker has been an instrumental part in the defense's improvement against the run. After Parker was reinserted into the base defense, along with strongside linebacker Moise Fokou, heading into the Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers, the defense has yet to allow an opposing running back to top 100 yards. This week, stopping the run will be paramount as the Giants boast Ahmad Bradshaw, who is tied for third in the league with 838 rushing yards.

Stopping the run this week "is very important," said Parker. "We already know what they're going to try to do. They're going to come out and try to run the ball and then hit us with the pass. As long as we stop the run and be ready for that other stuff, we'll settle in. We know they're going to come in running, so we'll be ready for that."

As for the bothersome hip, Parker said that even if it is a hindrance - which he doesn't expect - there's no way he's missing this game.

"I'm looking forward to this Sunday," he said. "I'm not sure what the outcome's going to be, but I'll be ready. I just have to take it a day at a time, let it rest up, not try to put too much stress on it ... But I can't miss (the game). Won't do it."

Parker's excitement about the game speaks to the rivalry between the Giants and Eagles. This week, what is typically a grudge match becomes even more important because of the playoff implications for the two 6-3 teams. And yet, Parker says the team is making sure to approach it just like they have all season.

"We're not buying into all that," he said. "We're ready to play anybody. It doesn't matter if it's an early game, or we're coming off a great win, it doesn't matter. We come out there to win, so all that other stuff doesn't matter to us."

*-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 2:48 p.m., November 19 *