Juqua

Parker

The Eagles are thin at defensive end because of injuries to Jerome McDougle and Jamaal Green.

High-ankle sprains can take as long as two months to return from. Parker assisted on one tackle before exiting Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. The Eagles will need Darryl Tapp and Phillip Hunt to step up in their eight-man wave rotation.

Tapp has missed the Eagles’ past two games. He was off to a hot start before going down in Week 2, notching three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Fellow DE Juqua Parker (high-ankle sprain) “has a chance” to return Sunday. Philadelphia’s 15 sacks are tied for the league lead at the season’s quarter pole.

The deal is for a maximum of $3 million if Parker hits all of his bonuses. Desperately seeking a right end opposite Jabaal Sheard since early last season, the Browns have opted for a tag-team approach. Run-stuffer Frostee Rucker will play early downs with Parker mixing in as a pass-rushing specialist. At 34, Parker can reasonably be expected to give the Browns 25 plays a game.

Parker hasn’t been active since sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Week 2, which can take as long as two months to return from. Darryl Tapp and Phillip Hunt will continue to rotate in his place.

Parker may be a name monitored by the Saints because New Orleans’ defense needs more pass rush, and new DC Steve Spagnuolo was on the Eagles’ staff for two years with Parker. He will likely be available for a cheap one-year deal. The situational pass rusher turns 34 in May and managed 1.5 sacks in 2011.

This will be Parker’s second straight absence. Fellow DE Darryl Tapp (torn pectoral muscle) will be a game-time decision after missing the past two weeks. Phillip Hunt saw the biggest increase in snaps in the absence of Parker and Tapp last week.

Smith will collect $2 million guaranteed as the Eagles’ fourth receiver this season. Jason Avant is signed through 2014, so Smith will almost certainly be playing elsewhere in 2012. Parker landed in the doghouse after an egregious offsides penalty against the Bills. Hughes has a been bust since being drafted at the end of the first round last year.