Eagles rookie LB Fokou practicing with the first-team

Moise Fokou can do it all.

At least that's way it has felt since the Eagles linebacker was drafted in April.

On Sunday, if an injured Chris Gocong can't play, Fokou will earn his first NFL start at strong-side linebacker.

Still, even though he took all the first-team repetitions in practice Thursday, Fokou pitched in with the scout team, taking turns with Jeremiah Trotter portraying Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

"How did I do?" Fokou said. "Did I look just as fast?"

Since being plucked out of Maryland in the seventh round, Fokou has been tried out at all three linebacker positions. He started at weak-side, where he played in college, and then was moved over to strong-side. When Joe Mays failed to put his stamp in the middle after Stewart Bradley's season-ending knee injury, the Eagles even threw Fokou into the mix.

"I think I'm a versatile linebacker – strong-side, weak-side. They even tried me in the middle earlier in the preseason," Fokou said. "Right now I think strong-side is the best way I can help the defense."

Gocong hasn't practiced all week. He injured both his quadriceps and hamstring on Sunday against the Giants, and Fokou stepped in for about a dozen plays.

"It lets you know the game tempo and what you've got to bring," Fokou said. "I think you just have to go in there with the same mentality. Going in on Sunday I had a lot of fun."

According to Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, Fokou is one of the first players at practice and one of the last to leave. It may explain his willingness to chip in with the scout team.

"I'm just trying to help out," Fokou said. "I'm young and athletic. I can handle it."

Safety-go-round

McDermott confirmed that Sean Jones was the starter at free safety, although he wouldn't commit to Jones holding that spot by Sunday's game with the Cowboys.

Rookie Macho Harris started in the first six games of the season, but missed last week with a sprained ankle. Coach Andy Reid said Jones would have started anyway.

Nevertheless, McDermott appears to be favoring a rotation that could also include second-year player Quintin Demps.

"You are talking about two younger players and an older player who's been around and the experience factor, number one, is what separates Sean," McDermott said. "He is a bigger body that tackles well and he does a great job on the field communicating with [safety] Quintin Mikell at the same time."

Harris said he was trying to take the demotion in stride.

"I'm just looking at it as, this is my rookie year, first year in the league," Harris said. "I'm learning a whole lot. So whatever they got to do, so be it. . . . But at the same time, I want to help the team, too."

Ingram sighting

Tight end Cornelius Ingram said he might be ahead of schedule in his recovery from his second torn anterior cruciate ligament in two years.

That kind of optimism may have something to do with the rookie rehabbing with Bradley. Both players shredded their knees within weeks of each other and have been pushing one another.

"He looks like he could play right now," Ingram said of Bradley. "There are times if we're doing the same drill, he might want to go full speed and [trainer] Rick [Burkholder] has to tell us to calm down. He's just a great guy to be around. [He's a] big-time competitor in everything that we're doing. It helps out a lot with me."

Ingram first tore his ACL just before his senior season at Florida. The Eagles drafted him in the fifth round, nevertheless, and he looked sharp during camp. But his left knee gave out again almost exactly a year after the first injury.

"I try to forget about it," Ingram said. "But it's definitely something I think about every now and then."

Extra points

Running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) practiced for the second straight day on Thursday and appears to be on track to return Sunday. Defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley (knee) and defensive end Victor Abiamiri (knee) returned to practice Thursday, but only participated in individual drills. Defensive end Chris Clemons (shoulder) was back to full speed. . . . If the SEPTA strike continues through Sunday, the Eagles are encouraging fans - an estimated 20 percent use public transportation to home games - to arrive early or car pool. Lots open at 1 p.m. for the 8:20 p.m. start.

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com.