game. ?But it was grabbing a little bit.? Allen said he made the decision to sit out, rather than risk aggravating the strained hammy and missing a month, or more. Running back LeSean McCoy was excused from work due to an illness. The other Eagles who didn?t practice were wide receiver Mardy Gilyard (hamstring), ruled out again this week, running back Chris Polk (toe), safety David Sims (foot) and guard Danny Watkins (ankle). * * * Darryl Tapp?s wife gave birth to a daughter the couple named Taylor Nicole Tapp early Tuesday afternoon. Daddy already is having fun with the newborn?s initials. ?TNT ? Kid dynamite,? Tapp said. Eagles head coach Andy Reid encouraged Tapp, the defensive end said, to stay home and enjoy the birth of their first child. ?It?s a great feeling,? Tapp said. ?I went and talked to Coach Reid and he definitely sent me away and said you?ve got to take care of this. It?s your first one. And I was happy but I missed being out there with the guys.? Tapp tried to watch the game ? between contractions. Tapp?s line mates stepped up sending the new mother flowers, chocolate and other amenities. NOTES After elevating Julian Vandervelde to the 53-man roster the Eagles signed DT Frank Trotter to the practice squad he was cut from earlier in the day ? Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff (sprained ankle) didn?t practice Wednesday. ?Hopefully he?ll be coming back in tomorrow and be close to ready to practice