Eagles lose Jackson to knee injury

The Philadelphia Eagles have lost center Jamaal Jackson for the rest of the National Football League season to a torn knee ligament.

"The Philadelphia Eagles have lost center Jamaal Jackson, seen here in November 2009,for the rest of the National Football League season to a torn knee ligament."

"It's obviously a big loss. He's a good football player," coach Andy Reid said Monday, a day after Jackson was hurt in a victory over Denver.

In Philadelphia' injury-plagued season, Jackson had been the only Eagles offensive player to play every snap until he got hurt in the first half.

An MRI on Monday showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee - an injury that could take a full year to heal.

"I don't want to take anything away from losing Jamaal," Reid said. "But at the same time, we're fortunate enough to have guys that have played in games, and big games, that we can fill in those spots."

Right guard Nick Cole replaced Jackson at center, and Max Jean-Gilles took Cole's place.

Mike McGlynn, a second-year pro who has appeared in three career games, becomes the backup center.

Cole had some issues adjusting to his new position on Sunday. He snapped the ball too soon at the Eagles' one-yard line, but quarterback Donovan McNabb fell on it.

He'll have a chance to practice with McNabb this week to hone his skills at the position, and Reid said he expected Cole to step up.

"We're fortunate enough to have Nick here," Reid said. "He is a center. This isn't a new territory for him. It's one that he's had a chance to play before and he and Donovan are on the same page. He can make all the calls, he can do the silent counts, he can do the hard count, he knows all of that stuff. That's not a new area for him."

The Eagles visit Dallas on Sunday with the NFC East division title at stake.