He said he was taking on too much responsibility - talking too much and worrying too much about what everyone else was doing. But in trying to be Dawkins, who left for Denver in the off-season, Mikell spread himself too thin and strayed away from what made him also a pretty good strong safety.

"Everybody with Dawk being gone [asked], 'Are you going to step in and do this or do that?' " Mikell said yesterday. "Me, being the kind of person that I am, I want to win no matter what. So I'm going to try and help in any way I can, but it was actually counterproductive."

There are times, however, when it's necessary for certain starters to carry that extra load. In the Eagles' case, that time is now. The team has been devastated by injuries. The secondary, in particular, has dealt with recent losses and could be shorthanded on Sunday against the Bears if cornerback Sheldon Brown misses the first game of his eight-year career.

"[I'm] not saying that the guys stepping in aren't any good or as good as the guys we had, but our mind-set has to change like, 'Look, it's got to be me and that's how it has to be every play. It has to be me to make that big play,' " Mikell said.

Brown has a hamstring strain and has been a limited participant in practice this week. He said on Wednesday that he expected to play. Still, third cornerback Ellis Hobbs was lost for the season a week ago with a neck injury and nickel cornerback Joselio Hanson will be serving the second of a four-game suspension for using a banned substance.

If Brown is out, Dimitri Patterson will play opposite Asante Samuel at corner. Patterson filled in for Hanson in the nickel last week, but if he has to start, either Ramzee Robinson or Jack Ikegwuonu will take over that role. Robinson, who was picked up just last week, jumped in when Brown was injured against the Chargers.

Westbrook back home

Brian Westbrook returned to the NovaCare Complex a day after doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said that the Eagles running back would make a "full recovery" from the second concussion he suffered in less than three weeks.

According to a team spokesman, Westbrook had begun a rehabilitation program, although neither the team nor UPMC would offer further explanation yesterday.

In a statement released Wednesday, neurological specialists Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins said Westbrook would begin a "comprehensive physical rehab plan" and "in the next two to three weeks" would receive testing similar to the kind he underwent two days ago.

Extra points

If an injured Quintin Demps can't play for the second straight game with a high ankle sprain, Macho Harris will be the kick returner, Eagles special-teams coordinator Ted Daisher said. Demps hasn't practiced all week. Harris didn't practice on Wednesday because of an eye infection, but he was back on the field yesterday. Last week, Jeremy Maclin started the game as the kickoff return guy, but Harris eventually took over. Maclin averaged 18 yards on his four returns, while Harris took back his two tries at 28.5 yards a clip. . . . Left tackle Jason Peters, who missed the last game with an ankle sprain, was a full participant in practice and looks probable for Sunday.

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane

at 215-854-4745

or jmclane@phillynews.com.