He's contagious.

Westbrook is suffering from flu-like symptoms and head coach Andy Reid said the running back also came down with a strep throat.

"Both are highly contagious things, so we've put him in a separate room and just kind of kept him away from everything," Reid said.

Westbrook remains day-to-day and the Eagles are in no rush to bring him back.

Samuel progressing

In recent days, injured cornerback Asante Samuel has done more running and leg exercises, perhaps in anticipation of a return to practice.

Reid pointed out Samuel's progress, but said the team is taking precautions with regards to his hamstring strain.

"I want to get him back in, but I want to make sure he's healthy at the same time," Reid said. "I'm anxious to get him back in there and going.

Samuel, who signed a six-year, $57 million contract with the Eagles in the off-season, has missed the last week of practice. Reid is unsure of when he'll return.

Could it be in the next couple of days? "Possibly," Reid said. "We'll just have to see how this rehab goes and how he's doing."

Afternoon delight

"The guys moved around well," Reid said. "We're able to work on some specific areas of the game and really focus in and slow it down and teach them. And, at the same time, get some good film on it, so we can use that also as a teaching tool."

Most of the situations involved either a nickel or dime defense. For the 10 defensive plays, the quarterbacks threw into certain areas of coverage, so the defense could do its work. And when the focus was on the offense, the players knew what coverage the defense was going to use.

Linebacker Stewart Bradley practiced with the first-team dime defense as the lone linebacker, a role he's adjusting to.

"It's working the communication with the safeties," Bradley said. "It's like your regular defense, but just with a lot of safeties in there. You have to make sure everything's straight."

Injury report

Tight end L.J. Smith returned to practice with his calf injury healed, and running back Ryan Moats was also back in action.

Reid offered no update on the status of missing guard Shawn Andrews. Backup tight end Matt Schobel also remained absent due to personal reasons, but Reid expected him back last night.

- Matt Gelb