It stood to reason, then, that the star running back would feel even more pain if he was tackled, but he will be spared that because Eagles coach Andy Reid announced yesterday that Westbrook will not play against the 49ers tomorrow in San Francisco.

Neither will guard Shawn Andrews nor receiver Reggie Brown.

The announcement about Westbrook came as no surprise. Even though Reid and Westbrook said his situation was day-to-day, fractured ribs simply don't heal quickly enough for a running back to return the next week.

"Brian wants to go," Reid said. "He's in the mind-set that he wants to play, but it's a decision that I've got to make. He's a tough nut, and I know that. I've got to do what I think is best for him and the football team down the road. It made the decision a little easier for me than it was for him. Obviously, he wants to contribute and compete."

The Eagles have a bye week after the Niners game, which Reid said factored into his decision.

"I think the bye week will help him," he said. "I think it will take some of the sting out of that thing. If he were to get hit on it this week, it would slow down the process of healing. It buys him some time, so when we get back, the ankle and ribs are ready to go. It will be smooth sailing there."

So far this season, little has gone right for Westbrook, one of the game's most versatile and productive running backs. He sprained his right ankle in Week 3 against Pittsburgh, and missed half that game and the entire game against Chicago the following week. He returned last week against Washington and suffered the fractured ribs during the Eagles' first possession. He went on to score a touchdown on a 9-yard run and missed only part of one possession, but he was clearly hampered by the injury.

Largely as a result of Westbrook's injury problems and the continued absence of Andrews, the Eagles rank No. 29 in the NFL in rushing and are averaging only 3.5 yards a carry. Westbrook is averaging 3.6 yards a carry, well below his career average of 4.7. Still, he leads the team with six touchdowns.

Correll Buckhalter will start in Westbrook's place. In his previous start, against the Bears, Buckhalter gained 66 yards on 16 carries, including a 25-yard run.

Along with Westbrook and Andrews, the Eagles will be without Brown, who pulled a groin muscle on Wednesday. Brown missed the first two games with a pulled hamstring, but had caught 10 passes the last two games.

"That's why we have starters and backups, in case something happens," receiver Hank Baskett said. "These things happen all the time in this league. Now we have to step up this week and make something happen, especially with Westbrook being out, too."