Coach Reid and many players in the Eagles' locker room have talked all week about the effect that several players playing through injury has had on the team. Specifically, cornerback Sheldon Brown (hamstring), left tackle Jason Peters (ankle) and fullback Leonard Weaver (ankle) have been singled out for their toughness.
"For me, it's just the thought of what I want to accomplish as a player," Weaver said. "Any time you go out there and play through injury, it shows your teammates what kind of person you are, the character you have. And then it kind of gives them motivation to kind of say, if this guy can do it through a high ankle sprain then I can do anything I want to do. So it's a motivational technique."
Since arriving in Philadelphia as a free agent this off-season, the gregarious Weaver has fit right in with his teammates, and it's clear he's had a positive effect on them.
"It just makes (the younger guys) want to push that much harder," he said. "You see guys look at that and say, you know what, I didn't have it as bad as I thought. It's definitely a little firekicker."
With the absence of running back Brian Westbrook, Weaver has played a more prominent role in rushing the ball. On the season, he's run for 135 yards on 5.4 yards per carry. But Weaver only has five carries in the past two games, likely a byproduct of his injury.
"Of course I would love to tote the pill too," Weaver said of his role, "but whatever way (head coach) Andy (Reid) and (offensive coordinator) Marty (Mornhinweg) want to use me, I'm going to be available and I'm going to do whatever they want me to do."
"Sometimes, like (against the Bears), I'm going to tweak (my ankle). I'll probably tweak it five or six times a game. It's going to be tough to play, but it's one of those things where I'm here, I'm going to whatever it takes to get out there and play as long as I can."
Weaver and the Eagles have a big game this Sunday against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins, and Weaver figured to have an important role. The Redskins are ranked number one in the league against the pass, but only 25th against the run, and they might be without defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. That adds up to a recipe for pounding the rock, and Weaver will be looking to pave the way for rookie LeSean McCoy.
"The young kid has been stepping up tremendously in every aspect," Weaver said of McCoy, "from pass (protection) to running the ball. So I'm very excited about his maturity.
"Every game from here on out is very important. We have a lot at stake and right now we're determined and focused and we're going to stay that way."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 3:26 p.m., November 27