Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is expected to miss tonight's game against the Cowboys, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Westbrook (concussion) practiced Wednesday and Thursday before getting a break on Friday and was listed as questionable for the game.
Schefter indicates that coach Andy Reid is erring on the side of caution after Westbrook took a severe blow to the head two weeks ago against the Redskins. Last Saturday, Westbrook woke up with what Reid described as a "slight" headache, and the running back sat out the Giants game.
All signs were pointing to him playing against the Cowboys, so you'd have to think that he probably had another setback. Westbrook has admitted to worrying about his long-term health but said he planned to forget those fears when returning to the field. The Eagles aren't confirming the report, but that's not a huge surprise since the club doesn't have to announce its inactives for another seven hours or so.
It's certainly a setback for the Eagles not to have their Pro Bowl running back, but they've shown they can win without him. Last week against the Giants, fullback Leonard Weaver and rookie tailback LeSean McCoy each had long touchdown runs. Even when he's been in the lineup this season, Westbrook hasn't been a huge part of the offense.
I didn't like Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking's chances of covering Westbrook on those wheel routes that have given Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce so much trouble in the past, but McCoy's capable of running the same patterns. It speaks to the Eagles' depth on offense that Westbrook's absence doesn't feel like a game-changer at all.
It wasn't that long ago that he was the team's most dangerous weapon. I think wide receiver DeSean Jackson has definitely replaced him in that category. And Brent Celek and Jeremy Maclin are making up ground as we speak. OK, I'll get back to you if we hear more.
PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is expected to miss tonight's game against the Cowboys, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Westbrook (concussion) practiced Wednesday and Thursday before getting a break on Friday and was listed as questionable for the game.
|
Schefter indicates that coach Andy Reid is erring on the side of caution after Westbrook took a severe blow to the head two weeks ago against the Redskins. Last Saturday, Westbrook woke up with what Reid described as a "slight" headache, and the running back sat out the Giants game.
All signs were pointing to him playing against the Cowboys, so you'd have to think that he probably had another setback. Westbrook has admitted to worrying about his long-term health but said he planned to forget those fears when returning to the field. The Eagles aren't confirming the report, but that's not a huge surprise since the club doesn't have to announce its inactives for another seven hours or so.
It's certainly a setback for the Eagles not to have their Pro Bowl running back, but they've shown they can win without him. Last week against the Giants, fullback Leonard Weaver and rookie tailback LeSean McCoy each had long touchdown runs. Even when he's been in the lineup this season, Westbrook hasn't been a huge part of the offense.
I didn't like Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking's chances of covering Westbrook on those wheel routes that have given Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce so much trouble in the past, but McCoy's capable of running the same patterns. It speaks to the Eagles' depth on offense that Westbrook's absence doesn't feel like a game-changer at all.
It wasn't that long ago that he was the team's most dangerous weapon. I think wide receiver DeSean Jackson has definitely replaced him in that category. And Brent Celek and Jeremy Maclin are making up ground as we speak. OK, I'll get back to you if we hear more.
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
