"We did that on our own," said Heckert, who confirmed that the Eagles "received a letter" this past week about concussion protocols. Heckert felt that since the Birds consulted with Pittsburgh specialist Dr. Mark Lovell, who does not work for the Eagles but does have strong ties to the league, they had gotten a satisfactory independent opinion before allowing Brian Westbrook to return to action last week. Westbrook, who suffered a concussion Oct. 26 at Washington, was concussed again last week at San Diego in his first game back. Westbrook was evaluated last week by Lovell's associates, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael Collins, and was given an encouraging report.

Maroon and Collins felt Westbrook's San Diego concussion was not as serious as his earlier episode, and they forecast a full recovery. It is not known whether Westbrook has sought or might seek further opinions, but there is no indication that he has. Neither Westbrook nor agent Todd France has been available for comment.

Maroon and Collins have said that Westbrook will be evaluated again in a few weeks. Obviously, he will not play before that happens.

In an interview with NBC, Goodell confirmed the new policy. "As we learn more and more, we want to give players the best medical advice," he said. "This is a chance for us to expand that and bring more people into the circle to make sure we're making the best decisions for our players in the long term."

Sheldon not hamstrung

 

As he predicted, Sheldon Brown was active for last night's game, despite having been listed as "questionable" on Friday with a hamstring injury suffered last week against San Diego.

Brown's availability for his 122nd successive NFL regular-season game - every game since he arrived as a second-round draft pick from South Carolina in 2002 - meant the Eagles did not have to start little-used Dimitri Patterson. The Birds quickly went from deep to decimated at cornerback 2 weeks ago, when Ellis Hobbs suffered a season-ending neck injury just as Joselio Hanson was getting suspended for 4 weeks after taking a banned diuretic before last season's NFC Championship Game.

Brown ranks second to Tampa's Ronde Barber among active corners. Barber has played in 186 straight regular-season games.

Both Andrews observed

 

Stacy Andrews was a surprise deactivation, 1 week after starting at right guard against San Diego. We probably can infer he didn't play well, and with left tackle Jason Peters returning, Andrews was inactive for the first time this season. Stacy's brother, Shawn, on IR since September, wondered what time the game was, trying to parse Central vs. Eastern time, in a Tweet Shawn posted before last night's game.

The other inactives were less surprising: Brian Westbrook, linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee), wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), running back P.J. Hill, offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, and safety Quintin Demps (ankle). Kevin Kolb was the third QB.