Eagles RB Westbrook misses practice

Oct 8, 2008 - 8:21 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook missed practice on Wednesday, putting his status for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers into question.

Westbrook, who has been battling with a sprained ankle, suffered two fractured ribs in last Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Washington Redskins.

An MRI exam on Monday revealed the injury, which occurred during Philadelphia's opening drive. Westbrook capped the march with a 9-yard scoring run but came off the field pointing to his ribs.

"He was a warrior in that game, being able to play, and we've just got to get it calmed down a bit there," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. "We'll see how things go as the week progresses."

Westbrook's assessment of the injury did not sound promising.

"(It's) similar to the last few weeks here, just trying to get healthy enough to play, gets to the point where the pain is not as strong and try to get out there on the field," Westbrook said. "(I'm) sore. It's tough to get sleep. When you have broken ribs, you sneeze, you turn, you make a sharp move, a sudden move, it's sore."

It has been a frustrating start to the season for Westbrook, who played last Sunday despite a sprained right ankle he suffered in a 15-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 21.

"It's been very frustrating, but I'm not a negative guy," Westbrook said. "I'm going to stay upbeat; I'm going to try to stay positive and try to get things done. I know how I got to the point that I'm at now and that's through hard work, discipline and trying to stay positive."

Westbrook, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, already has scored six touchdowns this year. He has rushed for 194 yards on 54 carries and has 14 receptions for 97 yards.

If Westbrook cannot start, Correll Buckhalter will get his second start of the season. Buckhalter ran for 66 yards and a TD in 24-20 loss to Chicago on September 27.