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PHILADELPHIA - Injuries and poor food choices have forced Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to make some changes in his lineup for Sunday's game at San Diego.

Two of the three phases of the defense - linebacker and secondary - could have new looks in the Eagles' quest to end the Chargers' three-game winning streak.

"There are injuries all over the league and it definitely changes things," McDermott said. "Instead of sitting down Monday morning to watch the (upcoming) opponent, you have to get a new feel for the complexion of your roster and how you want to attack.

"It's a challenge, but it's a challenge that we will expect to rise above. Whoever we put on that field will be expected to execute and play at a high level."

The Eagles' defense currently has the complexion of a teenager with acne.

Starting weakside linebacker Akeem Jordan missed his second straight day of practice Thursday with a hyperextended knee and bone bruise and is unlikely to play Sunday. As a result, McDermott has decided to do some shuffling.

Will Witherspoon, who started the last two games at middle linebacker, will take Jordan's spot. Strongside linebacker Chris Gocong, who missed last week's loss to Dallas with a strained quadriceps and hamstring, will move into the middle. Rookie Moise Fokou, who replaced Gocong against the Cowboys, will stay there.

In passing situations, Witherspoon will be joined by Tracy White in the nickel defense.

"There are a lot more responsibilities in the middle, but there are things at WILL (weakside linebacker) that you have to take care of, too," Witherspoon said. "I'm used to playing in both spots (with St. Louis and Carolina), so I'm used to it. I don't have a preference. I just want to be on the field and make plays."

This will be the fifth different combination of linebackers to start for the Eagles this season. For Gocong, it will be the first time he has started at middle linebacker since his senior year at Carpinteria High School in Santa Barbara, Calif.

He will be the sixth player to line up there since training camp began. Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither, Joe Mays, Jeremiah Trotter and Witherspoon preceded him. Bradley and Gaither are both out of the season with knee and foot injuries, respectively. Mays and Trotter are now playing almost exclusively on special teams.

"I didn't know we've used so many middle linebackers," Gocong said. "Hopefully, the sixth time will be the charm."

The starting secondary will remain intact, but there will be some changes in the nickel and dime alignments. Cornerback Ellis Hobbs is out for the season with a neck injury. Cornerback Joselio Hanson was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's league substance abuse policy.

According to his agent, Hanson used a diuretic because he was feeling "bloated" after eating Chinese food prior to the Eagles' NFC championship game loss at Arizona last season.

Dimitri Patterson will be the Eagles' third cornerback against the Chargers. Patterson has missed five of the last six games with a broken hand and strained quadriceps. If they need another corner, Jack Ikegwuonu would probably get the nod over newcomer Ramzee Robinson.

"It's a big challenge for us as a whole," Eagles strong safety Quintin Mikell said. "Whenever you don't have your normal starters or normal guys in other positions, it can hurt you. It's just a matter of us keeping our hunger as a defense and making sure everybody's on point and making plays."

EXTRA POINTS: In addition to Jordan, safety/kickoff returner Quintin Demps (sprained ankle) and tackle Jason Peters (sprained ankle) did not practice Thursday. Peters is expected to play Sunday. If Demps can't, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will return kicks against the Chargers.

Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee surgery) will not play.

Contact David Weinberg:

609-272-7186

DWeinberg@pressofac.com

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