Eagles bench DeSean Jackson

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PHILADELPHIA -- DeSean Jackson isn't helping his contract cause.

The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was inactive for the Philadelphia Eagles' 21-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday because he missed a team meeting.

"I thought it was the right thing to do," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I think it's out there now that he missed a meeting. He needs to step back and make sure that doesn't happen again."

A source familiar with the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Jackson's alarm didn't go off, causing the receiver to oversleep and miss the special teams meeting.

However, one person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that it wasn't the first time Jackson has been late or missed a meeting, calling this the "final straw."

"I'm not happy about it," Reid said.

Jackson's spokesman Bobby McRae told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio that the Eagles told Jackson to stay home.

"DeSean missed a meeting and he should be punished for that," McRae said. "But we think this punishment is totally unjustified. He should be there with his teammates. This is all part of an ongoing contract dispute with the Eagles."

“

DeSean missed a meeting and he should be punished for that. But we think this punishment is totally unjustified. He should be there with his teammates. This is all part of an ongoing contract dispute with the Eagles.

” -- Bobby McRae, DeSean Jackson's spokesman

Jackson, who has 29 catches for 503 yards and two touchdowns this season, is in the final year of his rookie contract and held out for 11 days during training camp. He hasn't complained publicly about not getting a new deal. The deadline for teams to give players contract extensions and have money count toward this year's salary cap passed.

Without Jackson, the Eagles struggled against one of the league's lowest-rated pass defenses. Michael Vick threw for just 128 yards and two interceptions.

"Sometimes you have situations where you have to just live and learn," Vick said about Jackson. "We have to just figure out ways to make it right. I think DeSean will do that. I think Coach will. We'll move forward. We won't focus on that. That has nothing to do with the outcome of this game."

Running back LeSean McCoy also backed the decision to bench Jackson.

"It's something he has to live with," McCoy said. "I think he knows he's wrong for it and he's sorry."

Jason Avant replaced Jackson in the starting lineup. Free safety Nate Allen (concussion) and left guard Evan Mathis (toe) also were inactive. Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett took Allen's spot and King Dunlap filled in for Mathis.

For Arizona, quarterback Kevin Kolb was inactive for the second straight game because of turf toe. John Skelton started in his place. Kolb began last season as Philadelphia's No. 1 quarterback, but lost his job to Vick after sustaining a concussion in Week 1. He was traded for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft pick.

Jackson had 110 catches for 2,223 yards and 15 TDs as a receiver the past two years and already owns the franchise record with four punt returns for scores.

Information from ESPN's Sal Paolantonio and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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