PHILADELPHIA — The soap-opera relationship between DeSean Jackson and the Eagles took another turn Sunday when the mercurial wide receiver was left inactive against the Cardinals after missing a special-teams meeting Saturday.
Jackson showed up for the team walkthrough Saturday, but missing the morning meeting was enough that coach Andy Reid sat him Sunday, taking one of the Eagles’ most dynamic players off the field — and showing an open rift between the team and wide receiver.
“I thought it was the right thing to do,” Reid said. “He needs to step back and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. I’m not happy about it.”
Jackson also missed at least part of another meeting last week. He was not at the game Sunday, but a spokesman for the receiver said he overslept Saturday and that it was “an honest mistake.”
“He wants to be an Eagle. He’s happy being an Eagle,” spokesman Bobby McRae said. “But he realizes there are consequences for his actions, and he’s not above the team.”
Payton on the sideline
ATLANTA — Saints coach Sean Payton, who has had to watch games from the press box since a sideline collision Oct. 17 left him with a broken leg and knee injuries, was back on the field against the Falcons.
Ben Montgomery, the NFL’s observer at the game, said because of safety concerns, Payton was told he had to remain a few yards away from the field.
Injury updates.
49ers running back Frank Gore sat out the second half against the Giants with a minor knee injury. Gore had six carries for no yards in a first half.
• Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, who leads all rookie NFL receivers, jarred his right knee when he landed awkwardly on a 36-yard touchdown catch in the Bengals’ loss to Pittsburgh. Green returned on the next series but was held out as a precaution after his knee tightened up at halftime.
• Bills center Eric Wood and backup linebacker Chris White both left Buffalo’s loss to Dallas with knee injuries. Without elaborating, coach Chan Gailey said he doubted Wood would be ready for next Sunday’s game at Miami and that “Chris looks the worst of the bunch.”
• Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said cornerback Al Harris and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui had “significant” knee injuries. Both will have MRIs today.
