Eagles lose Samuel vs. Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled cornerback Asante Samuel out of the team’s monster Christmas Eve matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

Samuel strained his right hamstring in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the New York Jets.

His spot in the starting lineup opposite Nnamdi Asomugha will be filled by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has been playing nickel corner all season.

The injury should be of concern to the Eagles, as the Cowboys boast one of the best three receiver sets in the NFL with Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson, and Miles Austin.

Sliding into Rodgers-Cromartie’s spot will be Joselio Hanson, a role the seven-year veteran occupied for several years before the Eagles acquired both Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie this past off-season.

The Eagles need to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC East. They also need the New York Giants to lose their matchup against the Jets.