Westbrook 'playing' vs. Chargers, Reid says

Andy Reid was asked yesterday to specify which of four NFL injury-report conditions - probable, questionable, doubtful or out - would apply to Brian Westbrook for tomorrow's game at San Diego.

"Playing," the Eagles coach said.

Reid's cut-to-the-chase response was good news for the Eagles, who have been without their starting running back for the last two games and who face a depleted Chargers run defense. Barring an unforeseen setback or a recurrence of a headache, Westbrook will play for the first time since he was knocked unconscious at Washington three weeks ago.

"He looked like he had a little bounce in his step here the last couple of days," said Reid, whose team practiced indoors all week because of rain. "I [have been] hesitant to put him on the turf for the [last two days]."

The concussion against the Redskins kept Westbrook out of the last two games, but some swelling in his right ankle kept him out of practice on Wednesday. According to Reid, the 30-year-old reported no additional discomfort after the last two days of workouts.

"I'm doing good," Westbrook said.

If Westbrook's upgrade ended a turbulent week for the Eagles on a high note, there was still one significant injury issue lingering as the team departed for California yesterday afternoon. Left tackle Jason Peters didn't practice for the third straight day and was listed as questionable. But he, too, offered his own injury update.

"I'm playing," Peters said.

Reid wasn't quite as sure.

"If it works out OK with the flight and the practice [today], there's a chance he still plays," Reid said.

Peters sprained his right ankle last week in the Cowboys loss and left the game for about a quarter. He returned and performed admirably against Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware, but coming back so quickly obviously hampered his recovery.

Reid was vague about who would replace Peters if he couldn't go, but Todd Herremans said that he's the man. If that turns out to be the case, Nick Cole would jump over from right guard into the vacancy left by Herremans at left guard and Stacy Andrews would fill in for Cole. Guard Max Jean-Gilles, who missed the last three games with a shoulder sprain, could also be in the mix, Reid said.

Herremans, Cole and Andrews, along with center Jamaal Jackson and right tackle Winston Justice, made do against the Cowboys as Peters scrambled to get back in the game. But they were disjointed and Herremans took an illegal formation penalty and Andrews was victimized by Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff for a sack.

"I feel better this week, obviously getting more reps," Herremans said. "I haven't taken tackle reps since training camp."

King Dunlap, Peters' backup on the depth chart, had some repetitions at left tackle this week. But if Peters doesn't play, having the experienced Herremans slide over a spot would seem to be the safe bet. The left tackle likely will be responsible for blocking Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Merriman missed yesterday's practice with a foot injury, but he is expected to play. After a slow start this season, the former all-pro has two sacks in each of the last two games. He and Shaun Phillips, San Diego's other outside linebacker, form a potent rushing attack in a 3-4 scheme, but the Chargers have been soft against the run.

Jamal Williams, a 350-pound nose tackle, tore his triceps in the season opener and San Diego's 26th-ranked run defense has been brutalized by opponents, allowing more than 130 yards a game.

Having Westbrook back should help the Eagles' fortunes, although LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver have been a steady presence in the backfield. Reid plans on rotating his running backs as he had done before Westbrook's concussion.

"I'm not going to just throw him in for the whole game," Reid said. "LeSean has done a nice job when he's been called on, so that gives us some flexibility."

With the Eagles suffering significant losses on the defensive side of the ball, Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg may want to shade their play-calling toward the run to help keep the defense off the field and fresh. Of course, Reid and company sometimes have to be dragged kicking and screaming into calling run plays.

The last time they faced a run defense as poor as San Diego's, the Eagles favored the pass, 53 plays to 13, and lost, 13-9, at Oakland.