Reid, however, would not divulge whether the headache had subsided yesterday. The Eagles probably wouldn't allow today's workout unless the headache had ceased.

The Eagles have said they would be very cautious in bringing Westbrook back. He was knocked unconscious for close to a minute Monday night, according to Burkholder, and suffered retroactive amnesia. Still, the team has not ruled out his playing Sunday against the Giants.

"He did better today," Reid said to a pool reporter. "He's feeling a little bit better today than yesterday. He's getting better. We'll add a little bit tomorrow, and see how he does. It's still going to be a game-time decision."

Backup LeSean McCoy, meanwhile, has prepared all week as the starter. It's not a role he's unfamiliar with. The rookie took most of the first-team snaps during training camp as Westbrook recovered from off-season ankle surgery and was the first-stringer the week preceding the Chiefs game.

"I've been in this situation a couple of weeks ago," said McCoy, who started against Kansas City when Westbrook sat with an ankle sprain. "I kind of have the flow of the offense. . . . It's really not a difference. Even when Brian is playing, we're still rotating quite a bit."

McCoy ran for 84 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in that game. In his last three games, however, he's rushed 25 times for 64 yards for a 2.6 average.

"Physically, I feel fine," McCoy said. "Mentally has been the toughest thing. Grasping the whole offense – different week, different game, players, different team."

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that third-string running back Eldra Buckley should be ready in case he is called on to fill in for a series or two or in case McCoy were to get hurt.

"He's says I got to be ready," Buckley said, "so I'll be ready."

The new guy

Mornhinweg said the Eagles swiped P.J. Hill off the Saints' practice squad because it added depth to the team's running-back crew.

Naturally, Westbrook's condition played some part in the acquisition, but Hill could come in handy playing Giants running back Brandon Jacobs on the scout team this week. He played the same role in New Orleans and even simulated Westbrook the week leading up to the Saints game with the Eagles in Week 2.

"They would put me as the best back on the [NFC] East team," Hill said. "So when we played the Giants, I was Jacobs."

At Wisconsin, Hill looked a little more like the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Jacobs. Hill went 5-10, 235 pounds in college. He slimmed down to 218, though, before the draft. He didn't get selected because of two pending DUI arrests. He said yesterday that the cases had been settled.

"I don't even think about that now," he said. "I turned over a new leaf."

Extra points

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (foot) and defensive end Darren Howard (calf, ankle) were back at practice after sitting out Wednesday's session. Safety Macho Harris took part in individual drills but did not practice with the team. . . . Mornhinweg said that he was not happy with offensive execution out of the Wildcat formation during the Redskins game. "We didn't do that very well last week, and that bothers me," he said.

Eagles Notes:

Giants at Eagles

Sunday at 1 p.m. TV: Fox29

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com.