Eagles Notes | Reids go public on sons' troubles

In an interview with Philadelphia magazine, Eagles coach

Andy Reid

and his wife,

Tammy

, spoke about the arrests and convictions of their sons,

Garrett

and

Britt,

on drug-related charges. The magazine's January edition will be on newsstands Wednesday.

"We decided that it was important to share some of our family's story," the coach said in a statement released by the Eagles yesterday. "Because of open legal issues, there is still much we cannot discuss. The story is long and complex, and we felt that a magazine was the best format to tell such a story."

Both sons remain in Montgomery County Prison. The Reids told the magazine that Garrett, 24, has been treated for drug addiction for five years, with several stays in rehabilitation facilities.

"We've dealt with Garrett's situation for a long time, and we've done it through Super Bowls and championships," Andy Reid told the magazine. ". . . It's not new to us. As long as I can do my job to the best of my ability, I would love to be an Eagle."

Linebacker

Takeo Spikes,

who is scheduled to undergo surgery on a torn rotator cuff today, was placed on injured reserve, leaving

Omar Gaither

as the most experienced of the four linebackers who will see most of the action Sunday against the Saints.

Gaither, 23, has 21 career starts, including two playoff games.

"It's crazy," linebacker

Chris Gocong,

24, said. "Without Takeo, Omar and I are kind of the older guys now."

Stewart Bradley,

a third-round draft choice out of Nebraska, will see his first action in Spikes' absence. Defensive coordinator

Jim Johnson

said Gaither would play both middle and weakside linebacker depending on the situation.

Akeem Jordan,

a free-agent rookie, will also play.

"This is going to be a good test for Stewart Bradley," Johnson said. "He's going to get quite a few reps, and Jordan, the same thing. The next couple weeks, they're going to play a lot.

"I'm anxious to see how Jordan's going to play, and I'm anxious to see how Stewart's going to play when he's actually controlling the middle sometimes."

The Eagles signed receiver

Michael Gasperson

from the practice squad to replace Spikes on the 53-man roster. Gasperson has been on the practice squad since 2005. He will make his NFL debut on Sunday.

"He's up because he's certainly earned it, and we think he can help us win," offensive coordinator

Marty Mornhinweg

said.

With

L.J. Smith

and

Matt Schobel

injured, rookie tight end

Brent Celek,

whose 29-yard catch late in the fourth quarter helped seal last week's 10-6 win over Dallas, will start against the Saints.

Pro Bowl guard

Shawn Andrews

(knee), running back

Correll Buckhalter

(illness), Schobel (concussion), Smith (knee), and running back

Brian Westbrook

(knee) did not practice yesterday. . . . Safety

Brian Dawkins

(back), receiver

Reggie Brown

(knee), and defensive tackle

LaJuan Ramsey

(knee) were limited at practice. . . . The Eagles re-signed linebacker

William Kershaw

to the practice squad. Kershaw, a former Maryland star, spent four weeks on the practice squad earlier this season.