Westbrook Improving; McNabb Expects to Play
Half the Eagles' starting offense was unable to take the field as the Birds began preparing for Sunday's visit to Chicago. Brian Westbrook said he was optimistic about playing, however, and Donovan McNabb said he expects to be able to play.
Westbrook Improving; McNabb Expects to Play
Les Bowen
Andy Reid read a list of five offensive starters who would not be practicing today, as his team started preparing to vist the Chicago Bears this weekend. Five is a lot, in a sport where you can only have 11 on the field at a time. But the two marquee names, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, seemed hopeful about their chances of playing.
"I'm optimistic about getting out there and being able to play," said Westbrook, who suffered what the Eagles have called a strained ankle in Sunday's victory over the Steelers. Westbrook has likened the injury to a high ankle sprain, which almost certainly would take more than a week for a running back to recover from, but he said Wednesday that "I've definitely gotten better since Sunday."
Obviously, there is still quite a bit of time before the Birds have to make a decision on Westbrook's status.
"I'm going to do what's best for me and this team," Westbrook said.
He has compared his injury to the one suffered by Brian Dawkins in the preseason, at New England, which the team called an "ankle tendon strain." Dawkins was injured on Aug. 22, and as a veteran, wasn't scheduled to play in the remaining preseason game anyway. He returned for the Sept. 7 regular season opener.
McNabb, meanwhile, said his chest contusion is more painful than it was when he finished Sunday's game with it.
"I expect to be out there," McNabb said.
Reid has said he expects FB Tony Hunt to be able to play. Less clear is the status of TE L.J. Smith (back), or RG Shawn Andrews (back).
Wideout Kevin Curtis practiced yesterday for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery on Aug. 21. Curtis was to practice with the scout team. He is unlikely to play this week
Brian Dawkins, by the way, said he would take a pass on Westbrook's suggestion, that B-Dawk would be the teammate most suited for "Dancing with the Stars."
"I'm not wearing the ruffles," Dawkins said.
In other frivolous news, be sure to read our previous Wednesday entry and try your hand at suggesting a movie with which McNabb might identify.
why is LJ's status so hush hush? Is he potentially more injured then originally diagnosed?— ag- Yea LJ's injury is that he can't catch. He's bad, and has been for years. And he can't block for sh*t.— nmr82
- nmr82, our offense is significantly better with LJ in there.— dlscholt
Comment removed.- When was the last time LJ came up big? Anyone? He fumbles when going down for a hit, he cannot block in pass protection, he is shaky as a run blocker, he never hustles to bail out McNabb, he looked soft on the Kolb INT, and he is always hurt. Is it me?— shoeshineboy
- Hey Shoeshineboy, you took the words right out of my mouth. Those are my thoughts exactly.— Philylily
- " McNabb, meanwhile, said his chest contusion is more painful than it was when he finished Sunday's game with it." This clown is such a whiner; what a Mama's boy. Uh-Oh, sorry, don't want to hurt his feelings...I know how sensitive he is.— Icacrai
- Comment removed.
- Icarai: You are an example of an idiotic Philly fan. Nuff said!— Bigbadrookie
- I am not worried about the Bears....Also contusions hurt like hell i had one on my shoulder a few years ago its not fun. I am very shocked that he was even able to come back on Sunday.— Prego614
- The MRI on LJ showed he is lacking a heart.— stanbro
- I miss Keith Jackson...— roque32
- Icacrai......you are a moron!— Obamassiah
