Report: Damaged knee could force Westbrook to retire
Injuries to Brian Westbrook's left knee could force the Eagles' running back into retirement this season, according to a report by Howard Eskin on NBC-10.
Report: Damaged knee could force Westbrook to retire
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Brian Westbrook's damaged left knee could force him to retire, according to a report. ( David Maialetti / Staff Photographer )
Injuries to Brian Westbrook's left knee could force the Eagles' running back into retirement this season, according to a report by Howard Eskin on NBC-10.
As Eskin understands it, Westbrook's career as an Eagle is "definitely" over, and it's unlikely that he'll play again anywhere if he listens to doctors over the next few weeks.
Westbrook had just one touch and no carries in the Eagles' playoff loss to the Cowboys on Jan. 9. Per the report, the reason he wasn't involved much was that his knee was in such bad shape. Eskin went as far as to say Westbrook would not be able to pass a physical if he tried to catch on with another team.
Last week, I detailed how much Westbrook played in that game, as compared to Leonard Weaver and LeSean McCoy.
Westbrook played in eight games last season, carrying 61 times for 274 yards. He also suffered two concussions. It's important to note that Eskin is reporting that the knee, not the concussions, would be the factor that could force retirement.
I was not watching Sports Final last night, but the folks at NBC 10 were nice enough to post the segment online.
Earlier, we posted about Keith Brooking's short memory in criticizing the Vikings for running up the score yesterday.
Comments (66)
eagledon - fifty years is a long time to be stupid. You've been learning football for fifty years? Yo dummy it's not that difficult a game. Van Brocklin beats the Cowboys at least once this year by sheer will alone. No arguments, please. Also, Westbrook was a thoroughbred, Candy Reid used him as a workhorse. That's all I'm saying. Eagledone!!!! Go drink the Kool-aid. Stepford fan.— Frosty Peters- Thanks for the memories!You are a true EAGLE!!!— Va. EagleFan
- Eskin, wow that's a reliable source of information. Did he send Andy Reid some roses to cheer him up and ask him what he is cooking for dinner.— Drew777
- If it's true, I'm just as happy he won't be hit any longer after the clearly serious concussion(s). Few were better than Brian Westbrook at his best. The punt return against the Giants will last forever.— PhillySubsMac
- Westbrook's final big play was a TD screen against the Vikings last year in the playoffs. It's a shame he came back this year.— hawk18
- eagles do not need a "running" back per se. they need a "pass catching/reliable blocking" back. westbrook was great at protecting mcnabb but was also indefensible when he would act like a blocker but slip out into open field to catch a pass.— pucchino
As if Eskin's comments mean anything. The mic in front of his mouth feeds the inflated ego to replace his knowledge of the game. Shut up, Howard before I release those 8x10 glossies. LOL- thank you brian westbrook for a great career. still get chills thinking of the loss to the giants turned into a win by your punt return. saved a season.— JACK V
- UNTIL WE HEAR IT FROM REID OR WESTBROOK HIMSELF I WONT BELIEVE IT— soliteryman
- and I'm pretty sure that all of the screen passes and split outs for big yardage actually increased Westy' career. When he was first drafted, everybody, EVERYBODY, had questions about his durability. He's answered all those questions with grace, agility and humility. 36 will always be a legend. With LT hitting 30 and everybody at NFL Network marveling about what happens to a RB at 30, Frosty, you hit it on the head. You know nothing. Shut your mouth, open your ears, and watch football with a different mindset. You are the epitemy of a Negadelphia fan, no nothing, care about nothing, except the blasted trophy. We've been priviliged to a great run of Eagles football. I've been watching and learning for more than 50 years. These are the best of times. Every season, we knew, WE KNEW, that at the end of the season, the birds would be there, in the hunt, not golfing like the Giants or Redskins. Brady got beat, Romo got beat, Rivers got beat and you are acting like spoiled children. Look back and enjoy these times, you won't see them again when this team goes into rebuild, not for a long, long time. I for one, shall miss 5, 36 and 20 and those days not so long ago— eagledon
- Brian Westbrook is Hall of Fame caliber. Even if healthy, I'd not like to see him in any other uniform except the Eagles. He brought his best game every down when capable and that can't be said about most NFL players. Good Luck and Thanks for being a true professional.— AJW2009
- I'm pretty sure Reid running him between the tackles and McNabb's inaccuracy took about 2 years off his career. It's a shame he was always stopping and reaching for a pass. Brian, if you had Tom Brady throwing, you would have had another 2000 yards recieving. Now you can watch them ruin LeSean McCoy.— Frosty Peters
- Best back since Wilbert Montgomery. He will be missed.— haroldtheb
- Considering the Eagles track record for dumping there older players before they get too-long-in-the-tooth, it appears they bid adieu to the wrong Brian at the end of last season.— bobcitydoc
- McCoy is another midget, a poor man's Westbrook who won't hold up, and Weaver is a fullback who'll give you a few carries per game. You Birds fans continue to be delusional. "Wait 'til next year". Yeah, right. The Eagles are the Cubs of the NFL. Look forward to a full half century of losing in 2010. Where will they have the parade? Eagles fans - What a bunch of loser sheep.— baabyrrej
- JimG you know what a blog is, right?
Comment removed.- draft players for special teams???? Do you really think that we are that good that we can draft for special teams? Any coach that does that will end up sitting with the fans. That's the dumbest thing that I ever heard of. Anybody that thinks Eskin has the scoop is sadly mistaken. They play games with the players through the media. If 5 really lost the team, then ok, let him go, but there is a point when you talk to your brother more than your father and 5 is that, a mentor, a big brother type of thing. If Banner and Reid left that out as a reason to trade 5, then they just decreased his trade value, a lot. Eskin was never a boot licker like Spadaro until recently. I can remember in the early years when we would all stand around the tent before the game and yell "shut up, Howard" during the broadcast. He's always been an idiot. Who did he talk to? The trainers that had been released? Un-named sources, sadder than Eskin. If ya got sumtin to say, step up and say it, don't remain anonymous— eagledon
- Comment removed.
- The eagles already have a big time RB in McCoy...Plus the Eagles will never fully utilize ANY RB as long as Reid is the coach anyway. They need a big time Defensive End and/or Safety in the draft. Also, I'm hoping that new special teams coach Bobby April will convince them to draft some players for special teams. If that becomes a top notch unit for the Eagles, it will help greatly.— drjimmy
- How does Eskin do it? When he gets done playing kiss-up to Reid and Banner, they tell him what they want to let out to the media. It's a sure bet that McNabb will be gone, because Eskin has blasted him all season, while praising Reid. Today, he came out and said he definitely believed McNabb would be traded. He wouldn't say that unless Reid and Banner gave him the go ahead. Ever notice how he never has much good to say about the Phillies or Flyers? They won't let him play kiss-up.— mike l
- Considering all the concussions, it is probably best if he retires. Thank you to Brian for all the great memories.— lgeagles
- And this is news?— The Truth Hurts
- Hey folks, Weaver will be a RESTRICTED free agent. Don't worry. He's not going anywhere. They Eagles like him. They'll sign him to an extension. Don't worry.— soulman386
Did Weaver resign with the Eagles or did I miss something?— tpizza- Sounds like more irresponsible sports "journalism"...substituting speculation for facts.— JimG
- This really puts the dagger deep in to the hearts of Eagles fans. BWest has been our offense for many years! BWest will definitely be missed.— quietstorm78
- Time for the youth movement. Start Kolb next year. Trade McNabb to a desperate team.— Lockyer
- Westbrook did himself proud. It's amazing to read the posters who call him soft. The pain and physical abuse any of these players endures would have the rest of us crying for Mama.— Bruce in NM
- Wait a minute!!! Wouldn't you need to actually run to have a need for a running back? You better talk to Andy first...— ohyoudo?
- I don't believe a word Eskin says: he's just a mouthpiece for the Eagles.— GKC
- I tip my hat to Mr. Westbrook. Thank all our lucky stars that the kid from Villanova wound up an Eagle. Once the coaches figured out that he could be a viable RB, and not just a punt returner, we were treated to the continuing skitters, and skatters and the Mee??....I thought YOU had him! type of running this town just thrilled to. Some of his runs will be forever etched in my mind. But age, and of course, physical problems, catch up with ALL that play football for a living. Bless your heart Brian, and thanks for the memories.— TBear
- Bye Bye......he didn't earn his money this year!— Bates
- That fits with the Eagles trying out running backs last week. If this is it for Brian, he wasn't just a guy who put lots of points on the board and pass protected well, but one of the most entertaining players to watch.— tacklinjoe
- one of my all-time favorite Eagles, probably top 3. I was at that game in the Meadowlands when he returned that punt to win it. Actually I was sitting a few rows up in the endzone section where he returned it, and just walking around Giants Stadium concourse with my #36 jersey and a "Take That!" grin on my face was something I'll never forget. thanks for the memories BWes
- 36 has the Tonner's respect and admiration.
- I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Westbrook's career progress at 'Nove and with the Eagles. I thank him for what he's given us and I wish him well in whatever he pursues moving forward.— beegal99
- I don't think the Eagles were too far off the mark in last years draft. They had McCoy behind the kid who went to Denver and Shonne Greene was also on their list. He looked as straight ahead as Beany Wells has. I don't see that McCoy has the breakout speed. Westbrook will be missed.— sonofnash
- Comment removed.
- Goodbye WB.Now please please add some power and speed to the two we already have. Draft, trade or free agency. We need to run the ball!!!— PhillyNH
- Thanks for the great memories BWest. All the best.
- This just in...Eskin reports a 76% chancve that Curtis won't be an Eagle next year— dabirds
- Many thanks to Brian Westbrook from this Eagles fan.— p-diddy
- The Eagles have had a promising running back situation for years. But Reid never maximizes the running backs. They let Buckhalter waste away for years. They did not use Westbrook enough when he was younger. They need to sign a guy who can get 1 yard when you really need it. It doesn't matter. Watching the Eagles is like watching Brian's Song over and over again, and hoping for a new ending. You are just going to be left sad and angry.— AreaMan
- Will always remember the punt return at Giants stadium...I was there...the Giants fans went numb! Thanks, B-West!— psuwelsh
- Isn't Weaver a free agent? I thought the Birds only signed him to a one-year contract.— socalphillyguy
- Howard Eskin suffers from terminal arrogance - but he is the one who always breaks the big stories.— jimmy2x
- The Birds have to resign Weaver 1st!— The Wanker
- Comment removed.
- I echo the earlier comment - this means nothing as we don't place value on good running backs anyway. Just a useless set piece in our offensive scheme.— evolutionary
- why is it everyone keeps saying we will have weaver next year? last time i checked he is a free agent going into an uncapped year. dont you think a run first team is going to offer him top money to come play for them?— liljesc
- He was lightening in a bottle for a long time. If this is it, Thanks Brian. You had one hell of a good career.
- Westbrook will definitely be missed. For years we relied on him time and time again as a fan we often took him for granted. Thank you Brian!— birds
- Westbrook will definitely be missed. For years we relied on him time and time again as a fan we often took him for granted. Thank you Brian!— birds
- WB was the heart of the O during the Reid era, he'll be missed.— Joe Funk
- Brian & Brian were the best Eagles of the past decade.— gnarly davidson
- Wow, Eskin is a regular "Dick Tracy" he figured out that Westbrook won't be back as an Eagle! That is just superb work on his part. I mean the Eagles have such a strong track record of signing running backs (or any player) over 30 years of age and his bargain basement salary of $7.5 mil next year might lead one to think otherwise. How does Eskin do it? He is a pure genius! Best of luck to Brian Westbrook in his future endeavors and thanks for the memories.— downthemiddle
- Brian Westbrook was an awesome competitor for the Eagles. Clearly, the pounding has taken its toll on him. Even pre-concussions, he wasn't his former self. Hope he stays around as a coach-seems to have done great with Shady. Eagles need a REAL RB...like we saw way back when with Ricky Williams or more recently with SHONN GREENE. Gotta whack the ball between the tackles and make some yardage--it helps the passing game!— Smashmouth
- What are some of you people talking about? McCoy set the franchise record for rookie running backs. Weaver is All Pro. That's not a promising situation at running back? Good luck to Westbrook but the Eagles are set at RB for the next several years.— soulman386
- Whatever happens, Thanks to Brian Westbrook. Been an honor to have him as an Eagle.— Mike977
- How can Jets and Ravens end up with very good RB and we could not find one in last five years? I brings into question how much a RB is valued in Reid's system. As all playoff teams are demonstrating, the team that stops opponent RUN game wins. Even Saints, and Vikes continue their run game in all situations.— Seed
- Comment removed.
- Goodluck to Westbrook! He has a bright future beyond football as an intelligent guy with class. RB's have very limited shelf life as they sustain significant physical contact. I would have been nicer if Eagles started trying a more physical RB few years back ....— Seed
- Why do we need a running back anyway? Reid never uses one. soulman386: half of nothing is nothing.— johnnyk3
- I agree, time for Westbrook to retire. Weaver and McCoy are fine, no use trying to keep putting B-West out there wondering when he is going to re-injure his knee, ankle, or head. The concussion issue alone should be his reason to want to hang it up.— cgrant
- Westbrook had a good career. If he retires it works out well for the Eagles since they wouldn't have to go through the pain of releasing him. They're in great shape with McCoy and Weaver. Next season they're gonna split the carries and be the thunder-and-lightning combination. So it's all good.— soulman386
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Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest
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