Eagles' Tim Jernigan exits early, Redskins' Colt McCoy fractures fibula

Eagles defensive tackle Tim Jernigan’s return from cervical disk surgery did not last long. Jernigan played 20 snaps in last week’s victory over the Giants, but he exited the Monday night game with what the team said were back spasms early in the first quarter. Jernigan underwent surgery in the offseason and the Giants game was his first of the season.

Haloti Ngata and Treyvon Hester took Jernigan’s snaps.

Darren Sproles took the field four plays into the Eagles' 12-play, 75-yard opening drive, their first touchdown drive on a first possession since Oct. 11 at the Giants. That appearance was a cameo, and few fans noticed, but Sproles got a rousing ovation when he returned the first punt of the game. The coverage was strong and Sproles, playing for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain in practice the week after the season opener, got only four yards. His first carry came on third and 4 on the second series, when he took a handoff and went inside for no gain.

But Sproles' third carry of the game was more notable -- 14 yards for a touchdown through the left side, giving the Eagles a 14-10 lead with a minute and 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Former Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez got a prolonged cheer from the Lincoln Financial Field crowd when he entered the game for Washington starter Colt McCoy in the second quarter. McCoy left with a lower leg injury. The crowd’s welcome was meant to be ironic, but on Sanchez’s first snap, he handed off to Adrian Peterson for a 90-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving Washington a 10-7 lead with 9:23 remaining in the first half.

As the second half began, an ESPN report said McCoy fractured his right fibula. He became the starter in Week 11 when Alex Smith suffered a broken leg that ended his season.

Josh Adams started on Monday even though the Eagles running back was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday with a hip injury. Adams was listed as questionable for the game, but his workload appeared unaffected.

The Eagles also had Jason Peters in the lineup despite his missing the entire practice week for personal reasons. Michael Bennett, who was questionable with a toe injury, played without apparent issue.

The Eagles' inactives were linebacker Jordan Hicks, defensive back Avonte Maddox, offensive lineman Jordan Mailata, cornerback Jalen Mills, offensive lineman Matt Pryor, quarterback Nate Sudfeld, and offensive lineman Chance Warmack.

Hicks (calf), Maddox (knee/ankle), and Mills (foot) were all declared out for the game because of injuries. The other players were healthy scratches.

Cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas were back in the starting lineup after recovering from injuries. Jones was absent last week because of a hamstring injury. Douglas played only an emergency role last week with ankle and knee injuries. Cre’von LeBlanc started as slot cornerback for the Eagles.

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