Kevin Curtis and his nagging knee injury are questionable for Sunday's game, Eagles coach Andy Reid said today.

Reid said that Jeremy Maclin is starting at wide receiver and that he would start even if Curtis' can go. It would be the second straight start for the rookie.

“I had him rotating in there, yeah I did," Reid said. "Just until I saw where Kevin was, he was in the starting position there.”

Curtis sat out the last game against the Chiefs, but the bye week allowed his inflammed knee some recovery time. He practiced on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, but there was a setback and the team decided to hold Curtis out of practice today.

"It was good to have that rest and it calmed down a little bit," Curtis said. "Obviously the fact that I wasn't out there today -- it's not where it needs to be."

Maclin believes the starting job is now his to lose.

"I [approach] it the way I did when I didn't have [the starting job]," Maclin said. "I go out there day-in and day-out and perform and know that you're treated as a starter."

After not having a reception in the opener, Maclin has snagged six catches for 45 yards. Curtis had five catches for 70 yards in the first two games. The 31-year-old hasn't looked quite right since an off-season sports hernia surgery, but his knee injury -- which the Eagles say isn't structural -- could be just a symptom of age.

"I've never felt better in a lot of ways," Curtis said. "Specific areas don't feel great, but I attribute that more to this game."

As far as other injuries, Todd Herremans (foot) is out and quarterback Donovan McNabb (rib), running back Brian Westbrook (ankle), safety Quintin Demps (hamstring), guard Max Jean-Gilles (shoulder) and cornerback Dimitri Patterson (hand) are listed as probable for Tampa Bay.

Reid also said that McNabb would most likely wear a flak jacket to protect his fractured rib. The coach came away satisfied with the way his quarterback, who missed the last two games, threw all week.

“I thought he had the velocity, that’s where you’d start, velocity and accuracy, after and injury like that," Reid said. "He showed both of those traits there. I think he’s ready to play and he’s excited to get back out there and go.”

The Eagles aren't supposed to have a deeper rotation at guard than the 76ers, but right now they do.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said today that he expects the three-guard rotation of Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles and Stacy Andrews to continue when the Eagles play Tampa Bay Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Cole, who is filling in for the injured Todd Herremans, has played every down at left guard so far this season, but Andrews and Jean-Gilles split reps at right guard in the last game against Kansas City.

"We feel like both of those men are starters," Mornhinweg said. "I think it's a unique situation on the offensive line because we've talked about this before: It's so important in this league to play at a high level as a unit. You can play pretty good as individuals and still not play well as a unit. It is a little bit unique that way ... and it has worked up to this point."

Mornhinweg said the Eagles' guard rotation isn't being used to keep players fresh.

"There is a plan going in," Mornhinweg said. "It's not run-pass."

So what is the reason?

"Both of those men are starting caliber," Mornhinweg said. "We have one man (Andrews) coming off a major knee injury late last year."

The coach admitted he has never seen an offensive line rotation like this before.

"I've never done it personally," he said. "Look, if they're good players, it will generally work if they're getting enough repetitions. Strategically in practice, you have to get enough reps and we have."

The Eagles' guard rotation should get even more interesting in a couple of weeks when Herremans is likely to return from foot surgery.

Will we see a four-guard rotation?

"We'll see when that happens," Mornhinweg said. "Todd is getting closer and closer." 

TROTTER CAN'T WAIT

Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said he's trying not to think about hearing his name over the sound system Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field for the first time since the 2006 system. He admitted, however, that the experience is unlike any other in life.

"I missed it a lot," said Trotter, who will likely be in the starting lineup against theBuccaneers. "I'm not going to lie. That's the number one thing coming out of that tunnel and seeing all those fans screaming. And just making plays. I really missed that."

Trotter said the Eagles' defense remains similar to what he learned during his six seasons with the late Jim Johnson as his defensive coordinator, but he thinks the team got away from doing some of the things that he brought to the table.

"I'm starting to see a little bit of that comeback," Trotter said.

Trotter, thanks to his 260-pound frame, is best known for being disruptive at the point of attack.

As expected, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he'll have some extra equipment to protect the fractured rib that kept him out of the last two games.

McNabb didn't say exactly what he'd be wearing -- possibly a flak jacket -- but he did plan to have extra protection.

"I'll be trying different guards and some padding, because I haven't wore anything in the last six, seven years," he said.

McNabb still has some lingering effects from the rib injury, but he doesn't think he'll have to deal with it for the remaining 13 games.

"When it comes to rib injuries, especially with fractures, it's probably a six-to-eight-week deal before it fully heals," he said. "In due time it will heal up."

Sunday will mark the first time McNabb and Michael Vick have played together and they both say they are looking forward to it.

"I think it's going to be great," Vick said. "Obviously the objective is to go out there and put points on the board and win the football game. I think Donovan can go out there and get it done and, hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to go out there just like when Kevin (Kolb) was playing."

McNabb said he'll have no problem if Vick gets the same amount of reps he did when Kolb was the quarterback against Kansas City.

"I'm fine with it," he said. "I said I was fine with it before. I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion when something new occurs. We've been at this thing now for the last six weeks or five weeks or whatever. There's a trial period, there's a transition period and I think we're at a point right now where we see the different things we can do with it."

VICK'S REALITY TV

Vick talked about the eight-part documentary BET plans to air some time next year before practice today.

"We started filming that a long time ago; not with BET but just on my own," Vick said. "My own film crew. We haven't been shooting lately, but it's something we've been doing since I was in prison."

Vick said his focus right now is on football rather than reality TV.

"I think as the season goes on, I won't have time for it, but hopefully some time in 2010 we can pick up where we left off," the quarterback said.

Vick said his own film crew consists of "my buddies and a video HD camera."

He said the motivation for the series is to teach kids.

"I think it's important to show our youth and our kids ... that you face adversity, but you're not responsible for falling, you're responsible for getting up," he said. "I'm very remorseful about what happened and what I did. I just don't want other people to go down that path and I want to repair past damages. That's all I want to show.

"People never had a chance to know Mike Vick outside of football. They know me from the case and football and that's not fair to me, that's not fair to my family or fair to my fans. I want people to see what I'm all about and it's all positive stuff. I'm excited about doing it. We've been shooting since I came home (from prison)."

He said the show does not yet have a name.

"I'm not even thinking about it right now. It's on the backburner, but some time in 2010, we'll have a chance to put it all together. I have to play football right now and that's the most important thing."

Michael Vick could have gone anywhere – he’s a free man, you know – but the Eagles quarterback decided to stay in Philly during his week off.

Last week, Andy Reid said that he wanted Vick to get away from football during the bye week and “freshen up.” Vick has been under the constant glare of the media, in case you haven’t noticed, and Reid felt the time off would benefit his prized acquisition.

On Monday, Vick said that he used the break to work on his conditioning and losing weight. He said he now weighs 212 pounds and is hoping to trim off four more pounds to get back to his 2006 playing weight of 208 pounds.

“I was just able to get away [from football], clear my mind, dropped a couple pounds to get back down to my fighting weight,” Vick said. “I feel good now. My legs are fresh and I’m ready to go.”

Now that Donovan McNabb is back, Vick isn’t exactly sure how and how often he’ll be implemented into the offense. McNabb has said before that he thinks too much of the ‘Wildcat’ affects the flow of the offense.

“I think that’s up to the coaches what my role is going to be,” Vick said. “Whatever it may be, I’m receptive.”

Still, Vick admits that not starting has been and will continue to be an inner struggle.

“I don’t want to say it’s not hard,” he said. “I will say that it’s been a challenge, but I also knew that coming in. My job and what I told myself was that I was coming in to help this team win by any means necessary. ... My time will come in the future. I’m still a young guy and hopefully I get another opportunity in this league.”

According to some rumors, that could come sooner rather than later. Because of the three's-a-crowd situation at quarterback -- with McNabb, Vick and Kevin Kolb -- some believe that Vick is on the market.

“I’m focused on helping this team win and that’s first priority,” Vick said. “So I don’t even listen to that stuff because it’s all talk. I’m happy to be here and I’m a Philadelphia Eagle.”

Vick, apparently, is also happy to be a Philadelphian – at least temporarily. Rather than spend last week in Atlanta, where he still technically owns a home, or in his hometown of Newport News, Va., Vick stayed in Philly. There were rumors that he purchased a condo off of Delaware Ave., but Vick said that is not where he lives. He wouldn’t divulge the location.

Vick was asked what his favorite thing about the city was thus far.

“There are so many good places to eat,” said Vick, who has been spotted at various eateries.

His favorite restaurant? Capital Grille.

Donovan McNabb declined to speak with reporters today following his first practice in weeks, but the Eagles quarterback did find the time to sit down with Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com (insert joke here).

"I feel pretty good," McNabb said, according to the Eagles' Web site. "After the bye week, I was able to do a lot of different things in practice as well as preparing for the game."

McNabb, who missed the last two games with a fractured rib, was not asked if he plans on playing Sunday against Tampa Bay, although all signs point to his playing. He did, however, talk about how exciting it was to get back out on the field (Yeah!) and how he was able to work up a good shaving cream.
 
"It was very exciting," he said. "I had an opportunity to move around a little bit, get a good sweat, a good lather, and look forward to progressing throughout the week.
 
"The key for me is to get that timing back to where we had it in training camp as well as in preseason. I think also for me to be able to recognize different things and be able to answer the question to what the defense is trying to display to us. And I think as an offense, we have to keep this thing rolling."

McNabb meets with the non-Spadaros on Wednesday.

Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook returned to practice today, according to several of their Eagles teammates. The quarterback and running back had been out with injuries. The Eagles returned to practice today after the bye week off.

McNabb sat out the last two games with a fractured rib. He suffered the injury in the opener against the Panthers. It's fairly safe to say that his practicing today means he will be able to start Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Backup Kevin Kolb performed admirably in McNabb's absence, losing to the Saints but coming back to beat Kansas City.

McNabb declined to comment. He is scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday, as is coach Andy Reid.

Westbrook missed last week's game against the Chiefs because of an ankle sprain. He didn't practice the week leading up to the game and was listed as doubtful. LeSean McCoy filled in for Westbrook and ran for 85 yards and a TD. Even before the injury, Westbrook had gotten off to a slow start in the first two games.

He was unavailable for comment.

Kevin Curtis said he practiced today. The wide receiver didn't play against the Chiefs because of a knee sprain.

Todd Herremans was able to walk around today without the assistance of a scooter. The guard, who has been out all season with a stress facture in his foot, is scheduled to meet with doctors today. He said the doctor could give the OK to lose the boot that has been protecting his left foot. Herremans said that a return by the Washington game on Oct. 26 is still very much in the cards. He hopes to be back by the Oakland game the week prior.

Quintin Demps (hamstring) said that he's back practicing, too. The backup safety has been out since the opener.

Jeremiah Trotter, meanwhile, had his first practice with the team since returning to the Eagles last week. The linebacker said that he was splitting first team reps with Omar Gaither on run downs. Gaither was unavailable for comment.

Trotter has his old locker stall and his old number back. He got the No. 54 from Tracy White (who now wears No. 52) and the stall from J. Leman, a practice squad linebacker.

The players have off tomorrow and will resume preparations for the Bucs on Wednesday.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Chiefs last week and wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be named NFC special teams player of the month for September.

Jackson opened the season with an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Panthers and leads the NFL in punt return average (22.2).

-- Kolb completed 24 of 34 passes (70.6 percent) for 327 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 120.6 passer rating in the Eagles’ 34-14 win over Kansas City.  Kolb also scored on a rushing touchdown, the first of his career.

-- He became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 300 yards in each of his first two career starts.  In Week 2, Kolb passed for 391 yards against New Orleans.

-- He threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jackson, the second consecutive game the duo has combined for a 60+ yard score.  The last Eagles duo to connect on 60+ yard touchdowns in back-to-back games was QB Ron Jaworski and wide receiver Mike Quick in 1985.

-- In his third season from Houston, this is Kolb’s first career Player of the Week Award.

-- Kolb is the sixth Eagles quarterback to be honored and the first since Donovan McNabb in 2004 (Week 13).

Heeeeeeeeeee's baaaaaaaaacccckkkk.

Jeremiah Trotter is going to get a chance to see if it's true what they say about the third time.

The Eagles signed the former Pro Bowl middle linebacker to a one-year deal at the league minimum. The move would have come as a surprise a week ago, but seemed to become a formality yesterday when Trotter worked out for a second time. Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowler, last played for the Eagles in 2006. It's not exactly clear what role Trotter will play in his return to the Eagles.

"I don't think they brought me back to play special teams," Trotter said today at the NovaCare Complex.

Trotter said he was still in a state of shock. It's safe the say he's probably not the only one. Nevertheless, Trotter is back and he'll be wearing his old No. 54 after he made a deal with linebacker Tracy White.

"I always dreamed I would retire as an Eagle," said Trotter, who felt like he had at least three years of football left in his 32-year-old body. "Hopefully, that can still happen."

Trotter said that he did better than he expected on a physical the Eagles gave him yesterday. "They said my knees looked better" than last time he was with the Eagles, Trotter said. "Which is odd for me." Trotter said he had his right knee cleaned out a few months after he was released by Tampa Bay following the 2007 season. He spent the 2008 season out of the league.

He said today that he weighed around 257 pounds. He also revealed that he worked out for the St. Louis Rams in the off-season, but nothing came of it. Still, he kept training and kept believing that this day would come.

"Jeremiah Trotter has always been one of my favorite players,” head coach Andy Reid said in a press release. “He has worked very hard to keep himself in shape and we are pleased with where he is physically. We are excited to give him an opportunity to contribute to our football team.”

To make room for Trotter on their 53-man roster, the Eagles have released quarterback Jeff Garcia.

“Jeff Garcia is a true professional and I know the players and coaches appreciated having him around these last two weeks," Reid said. "There is no doubt Jeff can still perform at a championship caliber level in the National Football League.”

Here's the rest of the release:

Originally a third-round draft choice of the Eagles in 1998, Trotter racked up 100-or-more tackles and led the team in that category in five of his seven seasons in Philadelphia. He also became the fourth linebacker in team history with four-or-more Pro Bowls, joining Chuck Bednarik (8), Maxie Baughan (5), and Bill Bergey (4).

He was released by the Eagles prior to the start of the 2007 season. Trotter has played in 134 games (117 starts) in his ten-year career, tallying 1,201 tackles, 12.5 sacks, nine interceptions (two touchdown returns), and eight forced fumbles.

Trotter spent his first four years in Philadelphia (1998-2001), garnering Pro Bowl honors following the 2000 and 2001 seasons before joining the Washington Redskins in 2002. He was released by the Redskins after the 2003 season, and re-signed with the Eagles in 2004. He spent the first seven games of that season as a reserve linebacker, but re-claimed the starting middle linebacker spot midway through the year and was instrumental in the Eagles run to the Super Bowl. Trotter went on to earn his third and fourth Pro Bowl nominations following the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Poll: Is signing Jeremiah Trotter a good move? (4338 votes)

Eagles president Joe Banner, speaking at a joint venture with the Phillies and Jefferson Hospital Tuesday morning, praised Michael Vick and expressed his delight over Sunday's win.

"He's doing great," Banner said of Vick. "He's doing everything we could ask for. We have to see how things play out over the season for everybody to really see what our vision is for how he can help the team." 

Banner would not offer any updates on the status of former linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who has reportedly worked out and taken a physical for the Eagles.

"All we've done right now is work him out," Banner said.

Shying away from making bold claims like his preseason comment that the Eagles have the "best roster in the league," Banner stressed that the Eagles' victory over Kansas City on Sunday was just a good sign.

"We're optimistic that we have a good team and a lot of young players so we have a chance to have a good team for a while," Banner said. "But you have to prove that on the field." 

Banner was on hand to announce a unique partnership with the Phillies and Jefferson Hospital. The two sports franchises got together and designed a T-shirt with both Eagles and Phillies logos on it to raise money for the Jefferson Breast Care Center.

The T-shirt is $20 and will be sold at both stadiums and teams' Web sites. All of the proceeds will go to the hospital. It will be sold only in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Such a partnership with the Phillies is unusual for the Eagles. But it was Banner's original idea, Phillies president David Montgomery said.

"We both always look for opportunities," Banner said. "In some ways our businesses are distinct and some ways they overlap."