Eagles RB Westbrook held out of practice

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:50 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook did not practice Wednesday, and his status for Sunday night's game at Chicago remains uncertain.

Westbrook continues to be listed as day-to-day after suffering a strained right ankle in last Sunday's 15-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday he has seen improvement from Westbrook, but added that "it will be a race" to get the two-time Pro Bowler ready for this weekend's game.

"He has made really good improvement over the last couple of days," Reid said. "We will see. It will be a race, but we will see how he does here in these next couple of days."

However, Westbrook sounded optimistic that he will return to help the Eagles against the Bears' vaunted defense.

"I've been rehabbing pretty hard, pretty aggressively," he said. "I'm doing basically everything I can to be able to get out there on the field on Sunday night."

Westbrook revealed that he has spent at least two hours per day in the trainers' room this week and claimed that he is feeling healthier.

"I've gotten better," said Westbrook, who admitted that he has not even started jogging yet this week. "I have definitely gotten better since Sunday, so I have to hope that I can get out there and play."

Westbrook, 29, arguably is Philadelphia's most important offensive player; the seven-year veteran led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage last year.

The Eagles sputtered offensively throughout the majority of last Sunday's slugfest with the Steelers, prompting Westbrook to push hard for a speedy return.

"I'm going to do what I think is best for me and this team," he said. "And right now, what is best for me and this team is to try and rehab as hard as I can and get back on Sunday."

Westbrook missed most of last Sunday's victory after suffering the injury on the first play of the second quarter. The All-Pro, who has five touchdowns this season, rushed for just 12 yards on five carries.

The Eagles (2-1) will likely turn to Correll Buckhalter if Westbrook is unable to play.

Buckhalter, who has been plagued by knee injuries for the majority of his career, scored the game's only touchdown on a 20-yard swing pass in the second quarter.

"I've seen Correll do some amazing things, and he's come a long way with his injuries," Westbrook said. "Correll, he's a fighter, and he's been fighting since his second year in the league."

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who suffered a chest contusion on the final play of the first quarter against Pittsburgh, also did not practice Wednesday.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection said he has not thrown a pass since Sunday's game, but added that he doesn't foresee a situation in which he won't play against the Bears (1-2).

"I haven't thrown a ball since the game," McNabb said. "We're obviously trying to stay away from that aspect of it and just continue to treat it and eliminate that soreness that's there now. When the time comes, (I'll be ready to) get out there and get ready to roll."