Neither running back Brian Westbrook (fractured ribs) nor wide receiver Reggie Brown (strained groin) will be on the Eagles' charter flight to San Francisco for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Westbrook will miss his second game in three weeks and Brown will miss his third game of the season after suffering his groin injury Wednesday during practice.

That leaves Correll Buckhalter starting again at tailback while Hank Baskett and DeSean Jackson figure to be the top two receivers. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis, who is recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia, has practiced this week and did make the West Coast trip, but even if he plays it figures to be in a limited role.

Defensive end Juqua Parker (sprained knee) did not practice again today, but said Thursday he expects to play. The Eagles will have Victor Abiamiri back for the first time this season against the 49ers.

Reserve safety J.R. Reed also will not make the trip because of hamstring and ankle injuries, while guard Shawn Andrews will miss his fourth straight game with a lower back injury.

A FINE CELEBRATION

Apparently the NFL really is the No Fun League.

That's what Eagles rookies DeSean Jackson and Quintin Demps discovered this week when they were each fined $10,000 for celebrating Jackson's 68-yard punt return for a touchdown Sunday against the Washington Redskins.

Bob Grotz from the Delaware County Times first reported the fines, which were confirmed by a league source today.

Jackson and Demps have a routine where they look at each other and fold their arms while bobbing their heads after a big play. The league source said the two were fined for "specifically participating in a prohibited celebration along with another player."

Linebacker Tank Daniels was fined $5,000 "for unneccesary roughness" when he was penalized on a punt return by the Redskins' Antwaan Randle El in the second half. "Specifically, striking his opponent late and out of bounds," the league source said.

As the Eagles continued to prepare for what amounts to a must-win game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, the list of walking wounded remained long.

Defensive end Juqua Parker, hampered by a knee injury, missed practice for the second straight day, but said afterward that he does expect to play. Darren Howard ran with the first-team defense in Parker's absence.

The status for wide receiver Reggie Brown, however, is not as certain. Brown, who missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, left practice Wednesday with a groin injury and did not practice today. Brown has caught a team-high 10 passes for 163 yards in the Eagles' last two games and had 106 receiving yards in a game at San Francisco two seasons ago.

"He is better than he was yesterday," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said before practice.

It appears unlikely that running back Brian Westbrook will play with fractured ribs. Westbrook, who also is recovering from a strained right ankle, sat out of practice for the second straight day. Unlike two weeks ago, Westbrook has not even been in attendance at practice this week.

Guard Shawn Andrews (back) will miss his fourth straight game.

The Eagles will practice tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, then fly to San Francisco in the early afternoon. The team typically travels on Saturday for a Sunday game unless the game is on the West Coast.

Brian Westbrook played most of Sunday's loss against the Washington Redskins with two fractured ribs, Eagles coach Andy Reid revealed at his news conference this morning.

Reid did not guarantee that his star running back would be able to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

"We'll just have to see," the coach said. "We'll see how things go here the next few days. He's sore."

Westbrook said on his 950 ESPN radio show tonight that he had trouble sleeping and was in extreme pain Sunday night, but he did not rule out playing Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

"It's kind of similar to the ankle," Westbrook said. "It's kind of wait and see. You rehab it. You continue to try to do everything you can to get yourself ready. You go to practice. You watch the tape. You understand your plays. At the end of the day, you have to try to get a feel for what it's going to feel like.

"Can you stand that pain and be effective? Are you going to be out there at 45 percent and not being able to take a hit? No, I would rather have Correll Buckhalter ... take over and carry this team. I'm optimistic about it, but at the same time I'm realistic about it."

And the reality is that it's difficult to play with two fractured ribs.

"Everything you do, it affects you," Westbrook said. "You turn right, you turn left, you try to make a move and that's part of my game trying to make people miss. You get hit on the right, you feel it. You get hit on the left, you feel it. It definitely limits the things you are able to do."

Reid said the injury occurred on the Eagles' eighth offensive play of the game, but he was mistaken. The injury, in fact, occurred two plays before that when Westbrook ran through a hole on the left side for five yards. He was tackled low on the play by Redskins safety LaRon Landry, then hit from behind by safety Chris Horton as he went to the ground.

When Westbrook got up at the end of the play, he could be seen touching his rib area. The Eagles' star running back gritted his teeth as he returned to the huddle, then touched his rib area one more time.

The next play was a reverse to Reggie Brown and Westbrook did not have any contact on the play, but he left the field afterward and was replaced by Buckhalter for one play.

Westbrook did return for the remainder of the series and, in fact, made a great block on an 8-yard run by DeSean Jackson on the first play he was back on the field. Westbrook finished the first series with a 9-yard run for a touchdown. Immediately after the drive, however, Westbrook removed his jersey and pads and the teams doctors and training staff started working on his chest.

He missed some of the Eagles' second offensive series, going into the locker room for a pain-killer injection, then returned and played the remainder of the game. He carried the ball three times for 13 yards and caught one pass for 17 yards before the injury. After the injury, he ran nine times for 20 yards and caught five passes for 34 yards. That means he averaged 7.5 yards per touch before the injury and just 3.9 yards afterward.

"Everybody talks about how that pain shot numbs it ... but it doesn't," Westbrook said. "Every hit, you feel it. Every time you run and turn, you feel it."

This is not the first time that Westbrook has had fractured ribs. He also fractured his ribs in Week 7 of the 2004 season in a game against the Cleveland Browns, then missed the following week's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Westbrook returned from a strained right ankle in Sunday's loss to Washinigton after missing the previous game against the Chicago Bears.

"I think this time it's a little bit less pain," Westbrook said. "I'm on some medication to try to mask the pain. Hopefully, that pain is tolerable enough that I'll be able to play with it. Maybe the pain pills have gotten stronger over the last few years."

Reid also said two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who has missed the Eagles' last three games because of a back injury, is getting better.

"We'll see how he does this week," Reid said.

POSSIBLE ROSTER MOVE. Given how the Eagles' offense has struggled near the opposing team's goal line, Reid was asked if he was considering a roster move that would give the team a true fullback. So far this season, they have mostly used defensive tackle Dan Klecko at fullback in goal-line situations.

"We'll just see how things go with that," Reid said.

Typically when the coach isn't planning to do something, he'll dismiss the idea immediately.

Now that the Up-Down Drill is back in the newspaper, you shouldn't have to wait to see it in print. Here's the ups and downs -- mostly downs for the Eagles -- from Washington's 23-17 win today at the Linc.

DOWN

ANDY REID

The head coach said this 2-3 start is his responsibility. It’s his fault, too.

UP

JIM ZORN

The Redskins’ rookie head coach has his team flying high with four straight wins since an opening-night loss to the New York Giants.

UP

JASON CAMPBELL

He might be the best quarterback in the NFC East.

DOWN

DONOVAN MCNABB

He might be the fourth best quarterback in the NFC East.

DOWN

BRIAN WESTBROOK

He returned from an ankle injury, but he was the second best running back on the field and suffered a rib contusion.

UP

CLINTON PORTIS

The Redskins’ star running back dispelled the notion that you can’t run against the Eagles.

DOWN

DAVID AKERS

Another 50-yarder, another miss.

UP

SHAUN SUISHAM

Meanwhile, the Redskins’ kicker connected on three field goals from beyond 40 yards, including a 50-yarder just before halftime.

DOWN

CORRELL BUCKHALTER

Westbrook returned to the field and Buckhalter returned to the bench. He carried the football just twice the entire game.

UP

DESEAN JACKSON

When was the last time the Eagles had a rookie this good? The answer may be never, but for some reason the ball was rarely thrown to him after his electrifying punt return put the Eagles up 14-0 in the first quarter.

UP

ANTWAAN RANDLE EL

His career passing stats are 19-for-23 for 264 yards and four touchdowns and that includes the 18-yard TD he threw to Chris Cooley today.

UP

CHRIS COOLEY

Another tight end has a big day against the Eagles. In fact, Cooley, with eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, did even more damage that Dallas ’ Jason Witten in that Monday night game.

DOWN

L.J. SMITH

The Eagles went to him twice early in the game, then just once the rest of the game.

DOWN

STEWART BRADLEY

The Eagles’ linebacker lost coverage on Cooley more than once, including on the touchdown pass from Randle El that put the Redskins ahead in the third quarter.

DOWN

TRENT COLE

The Eagles’ defensive end said during the practice week that Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samuels is the best in the business. Cole did nothing to disprove his own theory.

DOWN

TANK DANIELS

The linebacker’s costly penalty at the end of a Randle El punt return gave the Redskins the ball at the Eagles’ 42 and Washington turned its outstanding field position into six points.

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will play today against the Washington Redskins.

The question is how much?

Westbrook, two weeks removed from suffering a strained right ankle, has dressed for games before after suffering injuries without getting on the field too often.

The most recent example was in 2004 when he returned from a rib fracture against the Steelers and had just nine touches for 21 yards.

A year earlier, he returned from a high ankle sprain against the Packers in Green Bay and touched the ball five times for one yard.

Even if Westbrook is used as a decoy, he still has the ability to open things up for other players. It's also important to note that the Eagles are 5-6 when Westbrook doesn't play since 2003, so his presence means a lot.

The Eagles should be able to throw the football with success today because the Redskins will be without cornerback Shawn Springs, who has a strained calf. As expected, veteran defensive end Jason Taylor (ankle) will also be out today. Washington linebacker Marcus Washington also will be sidelined today because of a pulled hamstring.

THE PICK: Eagles 27, Redskins 21

Brian Westbrook was a full participant in Eagles practice today, but his status remained questionable for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins because of his strained right ankle.

Coach Andy Reid did not offer much information about whether Westbrook will play. Asked if his questionable status was less questionable than a week ago because he partcipated in practice this week, Reid said, "Well, he's questionable."

"He was able to get through everything and it looked like he did it well," Reid said. "We'll just see how he feels later today and tomorrow and, most important, we'll see how he feels on Sunday."

Like a week ago, it appears as if Westbrook's test run before the game will determine whether he plays or not. Westbrook said on his 950 ESPN radio show Monday that he was unable to cut the way he needed to before the game against the Chicago Bears.

Reid did not give an enthusiastic answer when asked if Westbrook was cutting any better this week.

"He's been doing OK," the coach said. "He's been doing all right."

The coach was also non-commital about how much reserve running back Correll Buckhalter would play if Westbrook does return against the Redskins.

"We'll see how it goes," Reid said. "I'm not going to say yay or nay on that. We'll see how it works out."

Buckhalter has had 17 career games in which he has carried the ball 10 times or more and in those games he has rushed 252 for 1,221 yards, a 4.8-yard average. He also has eight rushing and two receiving touchdowns in those games.

ANDREWS UPDATE. Guard Shawn Andrews will miss his third straight game with a lower back injury after seeing a specialist earlier this week. Max Jean-Gilles will start again.

"They say he has some tenderness in there and some inflammation," Reid said. "That's what is causing the pain. It's a day-to-day thing. Some days it feels better than others, but it's not quite back to where it needs to be. He's had a disk problem back there. The disk is bothering him, but it's also causing spasms."

Andrews said he is hoping to return to practice Wednesday.

"It's very frustrating every day trying to get better," Andrews said. "Some days I may take a step forward, some days I kind of take a step back."

In other injury news, quarterback Donovan McNabb (chest contusion) is listed as probable with a chest contusion and looked fine in practice. Safety Quintin Demps (knee), defensive end Darren Howard (abdomen) and defensive tackle Dan Klecko (hand) are also listed as probable. Tight end L.J. Smith (back) is listed as questionable, but was a full participant in practice and it appears as if he will play.

Kevin Curtis, who is recovering from sports hernia surgery, and defensive end Victor Abiamiri (wrist) continued to work with the offensive and defensive scout teams today, but neither is expected to return against the Redskins.

The Redskins also go into the game with some injury issues. Cornerback Shawn Springs (strained calf muscle) and defensive end Jason Taylor (surgery to drain blood from his ankle) are both expected to be out for the 3-1 Redskins.

Brian Westbrook started practice with the Eagles' first-team offense today, but he didn't finish.

Westbrook ran with the first-team offense for the first half of practice, then jogged off the field and went into the training room about 40 minutes before it was over.

Don't panic. According to coach Andy Reid that was the plan all along for the team's star running back.

"Yeah, that was the plan," Reid said after practice. "We're throwing him in there a little more each day. He did a little more today than yesterday and we'll give him a little bit more tomorrow. We're just being smart with it and adding something every day."

Reid said the main thing the coaches and trainers are looking for is how Westbrook is moving.

"It has been real positive," Reid said. "He looked real good out there today."

The big question, of course, is whether Westbrook will be able to return Sunday against the Washington Redskins after missing the Eagles' loss to the Chicago Bears with a strained right ankle.

"We'll see, but he's making progress and we'll see how he does here the rest of the week," Reid said. "Every day has been a step forward."

Tomorrow's practice could end up being the determining factor in whether Westbrook plays even though his younger brother Byron, a member of the Redskins' practice squad, said he'd be surprised if the Eagles' star back is on the field Sunday.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb, limited in practice by a chest contusion Wednesday, was a full participant today. Cornerback Asante Samuel (chest) also was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. Tight end L.J. Smith, who missed the Chicago game with a back injury, said he is feeling considerably better and will play against the Redskins.

"I do," the coach said the day after his team's 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears. "He needs to make those kicks, but I do (have confidence in Akers)."

The Eagles' veteran kicker missed wide right on a 50-yard field goal and hit the right upright on a 47-yarder in the third quarter. Had he made one of the two, the Eagles would have only needed a field goal to win the game when they were stopped near the goal line in the fourth quarter.

"The wind was blowing toward our bench," Reid said. "Where he was aiming was closer to the right side of the goal post. That's where he aimed and the wind didn't blow it back."

Reid said the two misses were more a case of miscalculating the wind than Akers' leg strength.

"I think the leg strength is still there," the coach said. "You can see it on his kickoffs."

INJURY NEWS. Reid said he wasn't certain if running back Brian Westbrook (strained right ankle) would be able to return to practice Wednesday when the team starts preparing for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

"If he had to practice today, he wouldn't be able to do it," Reid said. "As far as how he feels, he feels better (than last week)."

Westbrook went through warmups before Sunday night's game, but he wasn't able to play.

Reid also said that Pro Bowl guard  Shawn Andrews' back issue is not improving.

"He's going to see (a specialist) this week," Reid said. "We have to find a way to get it better. The doctors are optimistic about it."

Reid said surgery is not an option for Andrews right now.

The coach said that tight end L.J. Smith's sore back was improving.

Brian Westbrook will not play tonight against the Chicago Bears. The Eagles' star running back warmed up before the game at Soldier Field, but it was determined afterward that he should not play on the strained right ankle he suffered in the second quarter of last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This will be the 10th time since 2003 that the Eagles have played a game without Westbrook. They are 5-5 in those games and have averaged 17.6 points per game. This is the first game Westbrook has missed since Week 4 of last season when he sat out a Sunday night game against the New York Giants. The Eagles lost that game 16-3.

Correll Buckhalter will start at tailback. This will be Buckhalter's fourth start in the last three seasons and first this year. 

In addition to Westbrook, tight end L.J. Smith will be out with a back injury and guard Shawn Andrews will miss his second straight game with a back injury. Neither Smith nor Andrews made the trip to Chicago with the team Saturday. Also inactive were defensive ends Victor Abiamiri and Bryan Smith, guard Mike McGlynn and wide receiver Kevin Curtis.

Devin Hester will play for the Bears after missing last week's game against Tampa Bay with torn rib cartilage, but Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris will not play because of an injury to his left knee. Israel Idonije will start in place of Harris.