Reid expecting McNabb to be back for Tampa Bay

Donovan McNabb could return Oct. 11 when the Eagles play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their bye week.

"I think he will, but we'll see how it goes," Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday after his team's 34-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

McNabb's return from a fractured rib will likely have a domino effect, with Kevin Kolb resuming his backup role and Jeff Garcia getting sent back to the unemployment line.

Reid made it clear that there isn't going to be a quarterback controversy even though Kolb threw for more than 300 yards in each of his two starts.

"Donovan is the quarterback of the team," Reid said. "That's not a problem. I don't think it's a problem with Kevin, and I don't think it's a problem for our team, and I know it's not a problem for me."

Kolb said a return to the sidelines won't be easy, but he'll understand it.

"I mean, I'm sure it will be somewhat difficult," he said. "But like I said before, my job was to come in for these two weeks, and that will be my job in the future. There may be another situation that arises, but nobody knows. So I have to stay ready and make sure that I'm right."

Garcia, who dressed and served as the backup quarterback yesterday, seemed sincerely impressed by Kolb's first two NFL starts.

"I just think he's done an excellent job of taking advantage of an opportunity," Garcia said. "He made good decisions today, and he gave players a chance to make plays and they made plays for him."

With the Eagles in front by 27 points in the fourth quarter, Garcia entered the game to a loud ovation, but he fumbled his first snap from center, resulting in the Eagles' only turnover.

"It was great to get the ovation," Garcia said. "It was disappointing not to get the snap. That's the unfortunate side of not getting any reps with Jamaal [Jackson]. The fans were great. They've been great ever since I returned to Philadelphia. Them being so positive to me has been a great feeling."

Garcia said he understood that a healthy McNabb would probably mean the end of his time here.

"I'm not going to regret anything," he said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to come here. As much as I feel I can still play the game at a high level, they're looking at me as a 39-year-old quarterback. I think that's a major thing working against me right now."

After scoring the Eagles' final touchdown with 6 minutes, 43 seconds left in the game, tight end Brent Celek went into the flapping-arm celebration that was first popularized in these parts by Terrell Owens. He said he opted for that rather than the Flying DeSean. That, of course, was the move demonstrated by receiver DeSean Jackson when he scored in the second quarter.

"I'm not as athletic as DeSean," Celek said.

Maybe not, but he does have just as many 100-yard receiving games this season. Celek's 35-yard touchdown gave him eight catches for 104 yards, marking the second straight week that both he and Jackson eclipsed 100 yards receiving.

"I'm playing consistent," said Celek, whose degree of difficulty at being taken down after the catch has made him a fan favorite at Lincoln Financial Field. "I don't think I'm doing anything special. I just think I am doing what the coaches are telling me to do and being in the right place at the right time."

The Eagles inducted former quarterback Randall Cunningham and eight-time all-pro offensive tackle Al Wistert into their honor roll before the game. Both received long ovations when they were introduced during the first half.

"When you get to be almost 90 years old, any fuss that they make over you is very pleasant," said the 88-year-old Wistert.

Owner Jeffrey Lurie pitched that both Wistert and Cunningham belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"This is my Hall of Fame," Cunningham said. "I'm satisfied now."

After being penalized seven times for 45 yards, including five special teams penalties, against the Saints, the Eagles were flagged just three times for 20 yards yesterday. Two of the three, however, were on special teams. . . . Reid won his 99th regular-season game. He also has 10 playoff wins. . . . With a bye Sunday, the Eagles will likely get the remainder of this week off from practice and return a week from today.