The Associated Press
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins was fined $50,000 Thursday for a hit that ended the season for New York Giants receiver Ike Hilliard.

The play came in the third quarter of Philadelphia's 17-3 victory Monday night. After a pass went over Hilliard's head, Dawkins leveled him with a hit to the chest, separating the receiver's shoulder.

The league has re-emphasized its policy this week against helmet-to-helmet and other dangerous hits.

On Wednesday, Dallas safety Darren Woodson was fined $75,000 for a hit on Seattle's Darrell Jackson last Sunday.

Dawkins insists his hit was clean. "I know my intent on that play," Dawkins said. "It was a split-second thing. It's real hard to just make yourself stop in the middle of a full-out sprint. I'm not a dirty player by no sense of the imagination."

EAGLES: Aiken High graduate Ike Reese finally might get his first NFL start Sunday. Reese, a special teams standout for Philadelphia , will start at linebacker against the Chicago Bears if Carlos Emmons' hamstring injury doesn't allow Emmons to play. Emmons, who injured the hamstring for a second time this week, is questionable.

"That will be great to finally get one in," Reese said. "I'm just going out there trying to prepare to go play the same way I do each week. I'm only one play from being out there anyway, in case a guy gets hurt. If it happens, of course, I'll be happy for it. Other than that, I'm not trying to put any other type of emphasis on it."

Reese hasn't started in his five seasons in the league, but he has seen increased playing time this season, especially with Emmons hobbled by the injury. He has played a lot in nickel situations.

"The only difference is, I start the game off on the field instead of coming in on the third play," he said. "The game is still football once the ball is hiked. Other than that, I'll be happy to get the first one out of the way."

Reese recorded a sack against Houston's David Carr on Sept.29 and already has nine tackles. His career high in tackles for one season is 17 in 1999. He had three sacks that season.

"He's a tough guy; he's a great competitor who loves to play the game; he plays hard and he knows the system," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He's very intelligent, and I like the way he plays. He plays the game fast and has no regard for his body. He flies around a lot. You like his attitude."

REDSKINS: Willie Jackson signed with Washington, giving coach Steve Spurrier another former University of Florida receiver.

Jackson, a former Bengal, was waived by Atlanta on Monday after he complained he wasn't getting the ball enough. Jackson was the Falcons' third-leading receiver, with 18 catches for 199 yards.

TITANS: Running back Eddie George practiced Thursday and had no swelling in his left knee and ankle, even though the Titans officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game with Indianapolis.