PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — In a game where there will be plenty of high-profile linebackers on the field, the Eagles' Kamu Grugier-Hill carved his way into the conversation with an uncharacteristic jab at Philadelphia's upcoming opponents, the Dallas Cowboys.

It wasn't quite spitting on the star but KGH had some fun while talking with NBCSports Philadelphia in advance of the first-place matchup in North Texas this week.

"I mean, look at Dallas’ history," Grugier-Hill said. "They always choke. So, we’ll go down there and make them choke.”

Both teams finally have their seasons going in positive directions and a hold of serve by the Cowboys on Sunday would put a serious chokehold on any Philly playoff hopes. Dallas will enter 7-5 with four consecutive wins and the Eagles at 6-6 after winning two straight for the first time this season. The difference was a 27-20 Dallas comeback win at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 11.

In many ways, the Cowboys' resurgence has been fueled by the defense where star LBs Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch have given opposing offenses plenty of headaches with their athleticism. Their counterparts with Philadelphia are banged-up with Jordan Hicks expected to miss his third consecutive contest with a calf injury and Nigel Bradham pressing through a broken thumb and playing with a club on his hand.

KGH, meanwhile, has also been playing through a broken thumb and has remained a starter in base defense, a core-four special teamer and part of the replacement for Hicks in the nickel defense, along with Nate Gerry.

Grugier-Hill was just having fun with what appeared to be a flippant remark and so-called bulletin-board material tends to be overrated by fans and even some media members but the young LB will likely hear a word or two from head coach Doug Pederson, who would prefer to keep any distractions to a minimum.

Pederson will not be available to Philadelphia-area reporters again until Friday but he did do his conference call with Dallas reporters Thursday and called KGH's comment "unfortunate."

When the coach was then asked if he’s worried about the Cowboys creating bulletin-board material out of the remarks, Pederson responded: “It already is, isn’t it?”

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

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