McNabb, Westbrook hopeful of playing against Bears

PHILADELPHIA -- Brian Westbrook ditched his crutches and walked into the Eagles practice facility.

Whether the All-Pro Eagles running back is healthy enough to go from simple steps on his strained ankle to dashing off on an electrifying carry in time for Sunday's game against Chicago is still in doubt.

"I'm optimistic about getting out there and being able to play," Westbrook said Wednesday. "I've been rehabbing pretty hard, pretty aggressively. I'm doing basically everything I can to be able to get out there on the field."

The Eagles injury report on Wednesday read more like an announcement of Pro Bowl selections. Westbrook (ankle), Donovan McNabb (chest) and two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews (back) all sat out. Starting tight end L.J. Smith (back) also skipped practice, as did reserve running back Tony Hunt (concussion).

With all those backups taking snaps, Eagles practice looked more like the fourth quarter of a blowout victory.

The Eagles want them all back -- healthy -- if they expect to go on the road and beat the Bears.

"It's a big challenge for all the guys who are hurt," McNabb said. "It's a challenge for the guys who may have an opportunity to step in if we're not able to go. All of us have to be on top of our game."

McNabb and Westbrook probably won't practice the rest of the week because of injuries suffered Sunday in Philadelphia's win against Pittsburgh. But they both expect to be in the lineup.

McNabb, who missed five plays against the Steelers in the third quarter, hasn't thrown a pass since the game and was feeling tightness and soreness in his chest. McNabb took a couple of shots late against the Steelers that made his chest more sore and swollen, and he said on Wednesday the contusion felt worse now than in the game.

"There's not a chance in my head," he'll miss the game, McNabb said. "I expect to be out there."

The Eagles have to be more encouraged that Westbrook is walking around and able to rehab. He injured his right ankle while hurdling a teammate on a 2-yard run on the first play of the second quarter of Sunday's 15-6 win over Pittsburgh. Westbrook, who led the NFL with a franchise-record 2,104 total yards from scrimmage last season and earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl, left the stadium Sunday wearing a boot and on crutches.

The Eagles and their green-clad die-hards feared the worst, but an MRI on Monday revealed no damaged ligaments.

"I have definitely gotten better since Sunday, so I have that hope that I can get out there and play," Westbrook said.

Smith and Andrews are both out with lower back problems. Andrews, who sat out against the Steelers, is day to day and Smith is still being evaluated.

Coach Andy Reid said Smith's strained back was getting better.

"It's just a matter of his lower back area calming down enough to where he can function," Reid said. "It started to do that over the last couple of days. He's in a lot better shape than he was after the game."

Max Jean-Gilles started for Andrews at right guard against the Steelers. Brent Celek would start for Smith, and running backs Lorenzo Booker and Correll Buckhalter would get more carries if Westbrook is out. Kevin Kolb is the No. 2 quarterback and took snaps with the first team on Wednesday.

"You've got to always be ready and I think a lot of guys on the team are," Celek said. "We're ready to jump in and fill that role."

One positive for the Eagles was the return of wide receiver Kevin Curtis, who participated in scout team drills. He hadn't practiced since undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in August.

Curtis had 77 catches for a team-high 1,110 yards and six touchdowns last season.

"It's time to take it to the next step and see where I'm at," Curtis said.