Eagles Rule Graham, Watkins Out, Hopeful on McLeod

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — After about four hours of unneeded subterfuge the Eagles officially ruled out defensive backs Corey Graham and Jaylen Watkins from Sunday's game with the New York Giants.

Both players are dealing with hamstring issues and Graham will be sitting for the first time in his NFL career after playing in 159 consecutive games.

Also ruled out were cornerback Ronald Darby (dislocated ankle) and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (wrist).

The good news is that starting safety Rodney McLeod was able to do a little work in individual drills while battling his own hamstring injury and was listed as questionable, meaning he will be an actual game-time decision on Sunday. Also listed as questionable was receiver Torrey Smith, who is battling an illness.

Before practice coach Doug Pederson had claimed all three players would miss practice for a third consecutive day but all would be game-time decisions.

Earlier in the week, an NFL source told 973espn.com that the Eagles expected to be without McLeod "for a few weeks" after he injured his hamstring last Sunday against the Chiefs so he's progressing more rapidly than expected.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen