Eagles Notebook: Indications are that DeSean Jackson will play vs. Colts

We still don't have an official announcement, but it became clear yesterday that the Eagles are preparing for the Indianapolis Colts with the idea that wideout DeSean Jackson is playing.

Asked after practice to confirm indications that the plan is for him to play, assuming he experiences no further concussion symptoms, Jackson nodded.

"I want to play. I'm hoping to play," he said. He said he couldn't state anything more definite than that right now. "Can't peak too early . . . Everything's going great."

Jackson was a full practice participant Wednesday and yesterday. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg carefully toed coach Andy Reid's "day-to-day" line, but in special-teams coordinator Bobby April's weekly news conference yesterday, April talked about the personnel available to him, and he noted that "Riley Cooper won't have as big a role [in the offense] now with DeSean back."

So it seems unofficially official that Jackson will return to the field Sunday, 3 weeks after his train-wreck collision with Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson.

"He's practicing, and if he's available, we'll sure use him," said Mornhinweg, ever helpful.

Jackson and quarterback Michael Vick (ribs) are returning from layoffs, but the Eagles' offense probably can't afford a slow start against a team that likes to get a lead and then pressure the other team's QB into mistakes.

Mornhinweg noted that Indianapolis defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney "are one and two in the past 8 years on sack fumbles . . . It's part of their skill and ability. They're speed rushers, and many times, if they get there, they get it done."

Eagles right tackle Winston Justice said Mathis and Freeney get a lot of opportunities, because the Colts are ahead so much.

"They're not just wanting to tackle, they want to tackle and strip the ball, and I think they really develop a talent for that," he said. "I think they're coached [to do it], because if you watch Freeney and you watch Mathis, they're the same moves, just on the other side, and the guys that come in behind 'em have the same moves, too."

The Eagles traded for running back Jerome Harrison on Oct. 13, and ever since, there has been talk of getting Harrison into a game with a limited package of plays. Hasn't happened. Sunday, it seems Harrison actually might get on the field.

"Yeah, I think right now, I personally have 100 percent confidence in him, with all of his assignments and techniques . . . I think Jerome's ready to go now," Marty Mornhinweg said.

"I'm getting more and more comfortable," said Harrison, who said he spent a lot of time with running backs coach Ted Williams during the bye week. "He brought me up to speed, so I feel pretty decent."

He rushed for 561 yards and five TDs in the final three games of the 2009 season, for the Browns.

Special-teams coordinator Bobby April was asked whether his experience with the Eagles has been typical of how things go when he first joins a team. A board he put in the locker room lists the NFL special-teams rankings, and the Birds are 28th in opponent punt-return average and 28th in penalties.

"Well, the ups and downs are typical, because it's really tough to stay at the summit in everything all the time," he said. "I've been fortunate to have that happen a couple of times where we've been able to stay at the summit the whole season, just the whole season, in just every phase. That's rare, you know, that's rare.

"I was hoping and projecting that we would be better than we are right now, that we would make more of a contribution to . . . field position. I think there is improvement. It's gradual. It's in small increments. We have to eliminate the gaffe that comes up kind of on a weekly basis."

Cornerback Ellis Hobbs (hip) and offensive tackle King Dunlap (knee) again sat out practice . . .Former Eagles great Reggie White was named last night as the No. 7 all-time player in NFL history by the league. *