Brian Westbrook News: Pro Sports Daily

Concussions put Westbrook's future in doubt

Comment

November 20

Washington Times

"Questionable. Such is the career status of Fort Washington, Md., native Brian Westbrook after Philadelphia's franchise running back suffered the second concussion of his NFL career in less than three weeks Sunday. "Football right now for Brian Westbrook is not the important thing," Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said this week. "It's making sure that we get him analyzed, tested and taken care of and then we'll go from there. ... I talked to him on Monday, and he was in a good place. He didn't seem rattled." Philadelphia's career leader in yards from scrimmage (9,711), the 30-year-old Westbrook left a 31-23 loss at San Diego after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Chargers safety Eric Weddle ..."

Doctors to Westbrook: Walk it off

Comment

November 19

Philadelphia Daily News

"If Brian Westbrook relies on the advice of the two Pittsburgh concussion experts he saw yesterday, the Eagles' franchise running back seems likely to return to the field, quite possibly this season. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center released a statement last night, after Westbrook was examined by Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael (Micky) Collins, a neurosurgeon and a neuropsychologist who work closely with Dr. Mark Lovell, director of the center's concussion program and developer of the treatment protocols the NFL uses. "The UPMC doctors report that Mr. Westbrook's symptoms have improved significantly over the last three days. He was retested today with a battery of ..."

Doctors say Westbrook is doing better

Comment

November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Doctors examining Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said yesterday that Westbrook's concussion symptoms had improved significantly over the last three days, according to a statement issued by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis, and we expect a full recovery," read a statement attributed to Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins. "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks." A UPMC spokesperson could not be reached for comment last night, so it was unclear how the doctors define "full recovery." In ..."

Doctors say Westbrook is doing better

Comment

November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Doctors examining Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said yesterday that Westbrook's concussion symptoms had improved significantly over the last three days, according to a statement issued by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis, and we expect a full recovery," read a statement attributed to Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins. "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks." A UPMC spokesperson could not be reached for comment last night, so it was unclear how the doctors define "full recovery." In ..."

Eagles' Westbrook to visit two doctors to consult on concussions

Comment

November 18

Philadelphia Daily News

"Brian Westbrook's search for answers, as he begins to plot his course following a second concussion in as many games, begins today in Pittsburgh, where the Eagles' franchise running back will consult with a pair of experts.The Eagles confirmed Westbrook will visit with Dr. Mark Lovell and then with his colleague, Dr. Joseph Maroon. Lovell has been involved in Westbrook's treatment since he sustained his first concussion, Oct. 26 at Washington, the team said. Maroon apparently has not.Westbrook, 30, returned to the field Sunday for the first time since his initial injury and was concussed again on a helmet-to-helmet collision with Chargers safety Eric Weddle, after Westbrook caught a ..."

For Westbrook, precaution all in vain

Comment

November 17

Wilmington News Journal

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said the team followed all the medical experts' advice. He even sat Brian Westbrook out for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, and possibly his career, could be in jeopardy after he suffered another concussion in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday -- his first game back. Reid said Monday that "it's too early to tell right now" if Westbrook will be able to return this season. The chances, however, appear slim. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because the running back lost consciousness for a few ..."

Future of Eagles' Westbrook in doubt

Comment

November 17

Camden Courier-Post

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said he did everything the medical experts recommended. He even sat out Brian Westbrook for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, not to mention his career, could be in jeopardy after the running back suffered another concussion Sunday in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers in his first game back. Reid said Monday, "It's too early to tell right now if Westbrook will be able to return this season." The chances, however, don't look good. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because Westbrook lost consciousness for a ..."

For Westbrook, precaution all in vain

Comment

November 17

Camden Courier-Post

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said the team followed all the medical experts' advice. He even sat Brian Westbrook out for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, and possibly his career, could be in jeopardy after he suffered another concussion in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday -- his first game back. Reid said Monday that "it's too early to tell right now" if Westbrook will be able to return this season. The chances, however, appear slim. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because the running back lost consciousness for a few ..."

With Westbrook out, Eagles likely to call on McCoy

Comment

November 17

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE FINAL play for Brian Westbrook in the Eagles' 31-23 Sunday loss at San Diego came in the third quarter. Westbrook went out for a screen pass from Donovan McNabb, the sort of play he'd been involved with countless times before during his eight NFL seasons, when things went very, very wrong.Westbrook appeared to trip over guard Stacy Andrews and became wedged between wide receiver Jason Avant, who was setting up to block, and Chargers safety Eric Weddle, who came up fast to make the stop. There was a collision - a teeth-jarring one - and Westbrook got the worst of it."He was foggy when he stood up and walked off the field," Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday at the NovaCare Complex of ..."

Reid: Westbrook could be out for season

Comment

November 16

Wilmington News Journal

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said today that "it's too early to tell right now" if running back Brian Westbrook will be able to return this season after Westbrook suffered his second concussion in three weeks during the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Westbrook was injured in the third quarter when he got sandwiched between wide receiver Jason Avant, who was blocking for him, and a Chargers defender who hit him. Reid called it a "big hit." Westbrook never lost consciousness. In fact, he stood up and walked off the field under his own power. But Reid said Westbrook seemed "foggy." "I could sense something was wrong," Reid said. Westbrook suffered his first concussion on ..."

Westbrook's 2nd concussion raises questions

Comment

November 16

Wilmington News Journal

"The Eagles waited three weeks for Brian Westbrook to get better, and they believed the running back had satisfied all the criteria needed to get back on the field without risking another concussion. But that's exactly what happened anyway. On Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, in his first game back from the first concussion of his career, Westbrook sustained another one. Now, there are serious questions about the rest of his season and his career -- not to mention the Eagles' offense without him. But Eagles coach Andy Reid had very few answers after the game, a 31-23 loss at Qualcomm Stadium that dropped the Eagles to 5-4. How did Westbrook get hurt? "He got hit," Reid said. "I don't ..."

Eagles running back Westbrook leaves Chargers game with another concussion

Comment

November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"LeSean McCoy spoke softly, clearly mindful of the presence of Brian Westbrook, dressing in the next stall of the cramped visitors' locker room in Qualcomm Stadium."I don't think it was that bad. I think he'll be back," McCoy said, eyes darting over to where Westbrook was buttoning a blue dress shirt over gray pinstriped suit pants. "I'm not sure exactly what happened, I was so involved in the game. I know he's a tough guy. He'll be ready to battle back from it."Nobody seemed sure exactly what happened, or at least, nobody was saying. In his first action since suffering a concussion against the Redskins on Oct. 26, Westbrook suffered another. He left yesterday's game after making a 9-yard, ..."

Eagles RB Westbrook, Chargers LB Merriman active

Comment

November 15

NFL.com

"Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) is active, but LT Jason Peters (ankle) is out. Chargers LBs Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips will start in Sunday's tilt in San Diego. Westbrook has missed two games since suffering a concussion against the Redskins in Week 7. He was listed as probable. Peters was listed as questionable after not practicing Friday."

Westbrook seems on target to return Sunday

Comment

November 14

Philadelphia Daily News

"If you've been following the frustrating Brian Westbrook saga this season, you'll recall that Westbrook was just starting to look like Westbrook again when his head collided with London Fletcher's knee, midway through the first quarter at Washington, back on Oct. 26. Westbrook practiced yesterday for the second day in a row, and Eagles coach Andy Reid said Westbrook is scheduled to play tomorrow at San Diego. But what sort of Westbrook will we see - the guy whose early-season work definitely reflected the fact that he didn't play in the preseason, or the franchise-back-level Westbrook? "He looked like he had a little bounce in his step here the last couple of days," Reid said after ..."

Westbrook treated for ankle swelling

Comment

November 10

Camden Courier-Post

"Brian Westbrook's mild headache wasn't the running back's only setback over the weekend. Andy Reid said Monday that Westbrook, who missed Sunday's game with concussion symptoms, also received treatment on his right ankle, which he had surgically repaired in the offseason and sprained earlier in the season. Westbrook is expected to practice when the Eagles come back to the NovaCare Complex to start preparing for their Sunday game at San Diego, unless the lingering concussion effects or ankle are still bothering him. "Brian had some work done on his ankle, so if he doesn't go on Wednesday that would be the cause -- unless something crazy [happens] with his concussion," Reid said. Reid ..."

Westbrook's ankle a problem once again

Comment

November 10

Philadelphia Inquirer

"A headache kept Brian Westbrook from playing Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. More ankle pain could keep the veteran running back from returning to practice tomorrow.Coach Andy Reid revealed yesterday that Westbrook's surgically repaired right ankle was bothering him again, and that it was the reason he was held out of practice Friday. "Brian had some work done on his ankle, so if he doesn't go on Wednesday, that would be the cause unless something crazy [happens] with his concussion," Reid said the day after his team's 20-16 loss to Dallas. "He had a little bit of swelling, so he had some work done."Exactly what "work done" meant wasn't clear. Reid said Westbrook did not have ..."

Ankle is latest sore point for Eagles RB Westbrook

Comment

November 10

Philadelphia Daily News

"YESTERDAY'S alarming Brian Westbrook news came from a completely different direction.Nothing new on the concussion, Westbrook hasn't had a headache since Friday, Eagles coach Andy Reid said. Asked if Westbrook would take the field when practice resumes tomorrow, Reid said he expected so, having just spoken with Westbrook. Then he qualified that."I don't think Brian's head is a [problem]. Brian had some work done on his ankle, so if he doesn't go on Wednesday that would be the cause unless something crazy [happens] with his concussion," Reid said.Further questioning revealed the "work" to be treatment for swelling, in the right ankle Westbrook sprained Week 2, following surgery back in ..."

Westbrook out again for Eagles; unclear when he will return

Comment

November 9

Philadelphia Daily News

"So here we are, 2 weeks after Brian Westbrook suffered his concussion against the Redskins, and we really don't know when the Eagles' franchise running back will play again. Of course, the vibe from the Eagles is that Westbrook should be on the field Sunday afternoon at San Diego, but last week's vibe from the Eagles was that No. 36 would play last night against the Cowboys, right up until yesterday morning, when suddenly, we started to hear that he wouldn't. "On Friday afternoon, Brian began experiencing symptoms of a mild headache," Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said in a statement released by the team. "From that point forward, we had Brian re-evaluated by [team ..."

Westbrook no longer everything

Comment

November 9

Camden Courier-Post

columnist Martin Frank

"In the past, the news that Brian Westbrook was missing his second straight game with a concussion would have been devastating, possibly derailing the Eagles' season. Now, it is met with little more than a shrug. That's not to say that the Eagles don't need Westbrook. They do. They definitely could have used him Sunday night in a 20-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. But they're not reliant on him to carry the offense like they were in the past. The Eagles had several issues that would have negated Westbrook's presence, such as using all their timeouts by the 10:49 mark of the fourth quarter, with two of them coming on replay challenges that they lost. There was also the failure to convert on ..."

Sources: Westbrook expected to be out

Comment

November 8

ESPN.com

"In an NFC East divisional showdown between Philadelphia and Dallas, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is not expected to play, according to two league sources. An Eagles official Sunday morning was non-committal. Westbrook suffered a concussion two weeks ago against the Washington Redskins. Many assumed that, after missing last week's game, Westbrook would play Sunday night against the Cowboys even though he was listed as questionable."

Westbrook only "questionable"

Comment

November 7

Camden Courier-Post

"There's still an air of uncertainty about whether or not Brian Westbrook will play Sunday night against the Cowboys. The Eagles' running back was withheld from practice Friday after taking most of the first-team reps on Wednesday and Thursday and is listed on the team's official report as "questionable" - a 50 percent chance to play, in NFL jargon. But coach Andy Reid seemed to suggest that Westbrook would play and was only held out of practice because of the recent workload. "He's had two hard days of work and, really, the young kid [LeSean McCoy] hasn't gotten a ton of reps," Reid said. "Like I've done on some othe Fridays, I kept Brian out." The uncertainty lies in the injury report. ..."

Brian Westbrook expected to practice Wednesday

Comment

November 2

Dallas Morning News

"That's the word from Philly coach Andy Reid about all-everything running back Brian Westbrook. Westbrook didn't play Sunday against the New York Giants because of a concussion. He has done some working out since getting hurt vs. Washington and was scheduled to do more on Monday. Reid said Westbrook had a slight headache Saturday but he was better Sunday."

Source: RB Westbrook expected to sit

Comment

November 1

ESPN.com

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was not expected to play Sunday because of a concussion he suffered last week, a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The Eagles (4-2) host the New York Giants (5-2) with first place in the NFC East at stake. Westbrook suffered the head injury in last Monday's 27-17 victory over the Redskins. Westbrook has not practiced all week, but he was on the field Friday with his teammates and seemed in good spirits."

Giants waiting on Eagles' Westbrook

Comment

October 31

New York Daily News

"The Giants have seen enough of Brian Westbrook over the years to know one thing for sure: They're much better off if he's not on the field. They might get their wish tomorrow, too, since Westbrook, the Eagles ' running back and one of the biggest Giant-killers of them all, has been sidelined all week with the after-effects of a concussion. Even though the Eagles list him as "questionable," Westbrook hadn't even been cleared to work out as of Friday. His status will be a game-time decision, said Eagles coach Andy Reid , but the team is obviously being cautious since Westbrook was knocked unconscious for close to a minute on Monday night and was still experiencing mild headaches on ..."

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook could miss game against New York Giants

Comment

October 29

New York Daily News

"As commissioner Roger Goodell was defending the NFL's policies on concussions before Congress Wednesday, the Eagles were dealing with a head injury to Brian Westbrook and beginning the process of determining whether the star running back can take the field against the Giants on Sunday. Since Westbrook has always been the most vital part of the Eagles' offense, it might be tempting to rush him back after his head collided with the knee of Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh on Monday night. On his radio show Tuesday, Andy Reid said he was "counting on" Westbrook playing. Wednesday, however, he told reporters that Westbrook would not play until his series of week-long tests checked out, which ..."

Signs point against Westbrook's return

Comment

October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Andy Reid said last night that he was "counting on" Brian Westbrook to be ready when the Eagles play the New York Giants in an NFC East showdown Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.Based on medical guidelines for dealing with a concussion, however, that scenario seemed unlikely."Right now, I'm counting on he'll be there, and I know he'll want to be there, so there is a fine line there because this guy is so competitive that he wants to be out there every minute," Reid said during his radio show on WIP-AM (610)."We just have to make sure the tests come back and he's OK to play," the coach said.Pennsylvania Hospital's Art Bartolozzi, the former team physician for the Eagles and Flyers, ..."

Eagles' Westbrook suffers a concussion

Comment

October 27

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook's evening came to an abrupt end in the first quarter last night when he took a knee to the helmet from Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and appeared to be knocked unconscious by the blow.Westbrook left the game and did not return. It was announced that he had suffered a concussion.Coach Andy Reid said after the Eagles' 27-17 victory that he thought Westbrook would be OK, but he'd have to go through a battery of tests with trainer Rick Burkholder before he'll be cleared to play Sunday against the New York Giants."It looked like he was out cold," Reid said. "I was hoping he was OK. He wasn't moving . . . and when a player is not moving that ..."

How hard will Westbrook's concussion hit Eagles?

Comment

October 27

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Rich Hofmann

"If Brian Westbrook were a boxer, which he is not, and if he were indeed knocked cold last night after a knee rudely encountered his head, which he was, he would not be playing again until about the Eagles' 15th game of the season.Because this is football, no one expects that. But as the Eagles enter the meat-grinder part of their schedule, it seems pretty clear that they will be doing it without their top running back.As the real games begin - Giants and Cowboys and Chargers and et cetera - it appears as if the Eagles will have to scheme their way and Wildcat their way and Shady McCoy their way around the absence of their most accomplished runner. If Westbrook were to play Sunday against ..."

Westbrook, Jackson injured in Eagles' win

Comment

October 27

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Eagles' offense was big play or no play. Their defense was swarming and solid, against an opponent that couldn't get out of its own way. New middle linebacker Will Witherspoon made a huge difference.All together, what did it mean?We'll get back to you on that when we know the prognosis on a couple of very important Eagles injuries - the concussion that ended Brian Westbrook's evening in the first quarter and the foot sprain just before halftime that limited DeSean Jackson the rest of the way. It might be relevant to mention that the Birds host the New York Giants in 5 days, with the New Yorkers not really fancying the notion of a third successive loss.What we have this morning is ..."

Westbrook's reality has been losing touches

Comment

October 26

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Bob Ford

"The game against the Raiders last week had reached its final minutes and the costumed customers in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum shook their plastic weapons and growled their meanest growls as Donovan McNabb took a shotgun snap and searched the stage for a redemptive exit. On the sideline, Brian Westbrook watched the play along with the others. His chinstrap was still snapped in place, but he wasn't on the field for this third-down play that would end with McNabb scrambling for a few yards. One play later, a harried McNabb would underthrow DeSean Jackson and the Eagles were finished. As often as not, Westbrook wasn't in the game during its most important stretches. Andy Reid would say ..."

Eagles' Westbrook wants increased workload

Comment

October 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook raised his hand yesterday and said he was ready for more work."I think I can make some plays when I have the ball in my hands," Westbrook said before practice yesterday. "It's very hard to show people what you can do when you don't have the opportunities. I think as the season goes on, I will get those opportunities - and when I do, I think I will show people that I can still play."He showed that Sunday against the Oakland Raiders when he ran six times for 50 yards and caught nine passes for 91 more. It was a reminder of what he's done in the past for the Eagles, and now he would like to carry the football some more.Westbrook said he has been known to make a suggestion or ..."

Westbrook eager to run more for the Eagles

Comment

October 23

Philadelphia Daily News

"During the game, Brian Westbrook doesn't really count his touches, the Eagles running back said yesterday. He'll lobby offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg a little, but mostly, Westbrook said, he looks ahead to the next opportunity, figuring it will give him a chance to make up for lost time."I really don't get too down during the game," Westbrook said. "Of course, after the game, you look at stats, you look at production, things like that, and you kind of say, 'Wow,' but at the same time, we've had a lot of success throwing the football."Westbrook, ever the diplomat (well, now that he isn't angry about his contract anymore), noted that if the Eagles had been able to hit those long ..."

Westbrook returns to Eagles but adjusts to secondary role

Comment

October 12

Philadelphia Daily News

"As expected, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook came back from injuries to start in yesterday's 33-14 Eagles victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Bucs.McNabb was McNabb, as sharp as he could possibly be in a game that required him to throw only 21 times. McNabb completed 16 of those throws for 264 yards (16.5 yards per completion), three touchdowns and no interceptions.Westbrook was, well . . . not exactly Westbrook. He said his ankle and knee felt fine, and he scooted up the gut for a 7-yard touchdown run on the play after he reeled in a 20-yard pass, but overall, there wasn't much magic. Six carries, 18 yards. Two catches for 17 more.It was a little jarring to see Andy Reid line rookie ..."

McNabb and Westbrook Are Back

Comment

October 5

Camden Courier-Post

"Both Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook practiced today, telling me that both will play this weekend when Tampa Bay comes to Philly. The fact that we cut Jeff Garcia told me McNabb would be available, but it's nice to have Westbrook back as well. LeSean McCoy did a real nice job against a Kansas City defense that isn't very good, but I don't think I want him to be a full-time back quite yet. Brian Westbrook is too explosive and important in the pass-catching department for us to be without him for long."

McNabb, Westbrook won't practice

Comment

September 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Quarterback Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will not practice today as they continue to heal from their injuries – McNabb with a broken rib and Westbrook with a "slightly sprained ankle." Receiver DeSean Jackson went through the walkthrough this morning, despite a strained groin, but will not practice this afternoon. Of Westbrook, coach Andy Reid said, "We'll see how he does throughout the week. It really is a day-to-day thing." The swelling in Westbrook's ankle is "way down, there's very little swelling," Reid said. "We feel pretty good about that today." Reid said McNabb is able to throw, "not with great velocity or length right now." Reid said he would take into account the Eagles' ..."

For Westbrook, liitle to show but little help

Comment

September 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook is 30 years old and injured - again. Was Sunday's deflating 48-22 loss to New Orleans another sign that the Eagles running back is losing his explosiveness and effectiveness? Yes and no. There were times Sunday when Westbrook seemed to be what years ago would have been inconceivable: just ordinary. He hit holes but couldn't get through them, was neither shifty nor elusive, and, after he sprained his ankle in the second half, appeared to age before your eyes. But there were other times when he was the Westbrook of old. But not even Westbrook circa 2007 could have made something out of nothing with the poor run-blocking. The Eagles' line may have done a fine job protecting ..."

Under the Microscope ...' For Westbrook, little to show but little help

Comment

September 22

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook is 30 years old and injured - again.Was Sunday's deflating 48-22 loss to New Orleans another sign that the Eagles running back is losing his explosiveness and effectiveness?Yes and no.There were times Sunday when Westbrook seemed to be what years ago would have been inconceivable: just ordinary. He hit holes but couldn't get through them, was neither shifty nor elusive, and, after he sprained his ankle in the second half, appeared to age before your eyes.But there were other times when he was the Westbrook of old. But not even Westbrook circa 2007 could have made something out of nothing with the poor run-blocking. The Eagles' line may have done a fine job protecting ..."

Reid optimistic that Westbrook can regain old form

Comment

September 22

Philadelphia Daily News

"ANDY REID SAID yesterday that Brian Westbrook's issue is regaining sharpness after a layoff, not diminished capability.By the end of the season, we'll probably know for sure whether Reid is right. Right now, we know that in two games, the Eagles' once-electric running back has carried 26 times for 116 yards, a respectable but unremarkable 4.5-yard average. Westbrook, who caught more passes than any other NFL running back from 2004-2008, has just six catches so far this season, for 22 yards. He has looked more or less OK. He hasn't taken anyone's breath away.Of course, the Birds have more attractive receiving options now than they had in 2007, when Westbrook set a team record by hauling in ..."

Westbrook sprains surgically repaired ankle

Comment

September 21

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook sprained his surgically repaired right ankle during the third quarter of the team's 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints yesterday. Westbrook then briefly returned to the game, but when the score got out of hand in the fourth quarter, rookie LeSean McCoy replaced him. Even if the game had been close, it's not clear that Westbrook would have been able to continue. "It was just sore," Westbrook said. "I tried to put a little weight on it. Tried to be effective out there on the field. You don't want to go out there and hurt the team. As far as running, I wanted to make some cuts, and I just wasn't able to do it." It was the second straight week that ..."

Westbrook option declined

Comment

September 15

ESPN.com

"Brian Westbrook's long-term security apparently isn't as long as he had anticipated. A revision in the five-year, $32 million extension the Philadelphia Eagles running back signed last August indicated the $7 million option bonus due in 2010 wasn't exercised by the team, according to multiple sources. By not exercising the $7 million bonus, Westbrook's contract ends in 2010."

Reid says Westbrook is ready

Comment

September 12

Camden Courier-Post

"Brian Westbrook is good to go. Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday that his two-time Pro Bowl running back will start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Westbrook's name surprisingly surfaced on the injury report Thursday under the heading of "full participation" in practice. But Reid said Westbrook's left knee, which tends to swell at times during the season, isn't problematic. Westbrook underwent knee and ankle surgery in the offseason, which kept him out of all four preseason games. "He's fine," Reid said. "We've been trying to monitor him as much as we possibly can and just limit his reps." Asked if the team has done anything unusual in its treatment of Westbrook's knee, Reid ..."

Westbrook ready to run

Comment

September 10

Camden Courier-Post

"When that first handoff from Donovan McNabb gets tucked into his midsection or that first pass from McNabb settles into his hands, Brian Westbrook will encounter a spectrum of emotions and feelings. Some won't be as comfortable as others. "(I) may be just a tad bit rusty," Westbrook admitted. While most of his teammates had at least three preseason games to get warmed up for the regular season, Westbrook hasn't played an NFL game since the Eagles' disheartening 32-25 loss to Arizona in the NFC Championship. After being held out of all contact practices in training camp, Westbrook also sat out every preseason game as the coaches deliberately scaled back his workload this summer to keep ..."

Brian Westbrook raring to go

Comment

September 10

Philadelphia Inquirer

"So much is new and different about the Eagles' offense that sometimes we forget that the old - 30-year-old Brian Westbrook, to be more precise - probably will dictate the success or failure of this football team.Westbrook, entering his eighth NFL season and sixth as the undisputed starting running back, spent training camp and the preseason tucked in the background as he recovered from June ankle surgery and the Eagles made headlines with new injuries and the signing of Michael Vick.Westbrook sat out the preseason for the first time in his career."I feel a lot fresher as I sit here right now going into the first game than I have in the past, but at the same time it was very different," he ..."

Westbrook insists he'll be back in top form

Comment

August 19

Camden Courier-Post

"Two years ago, it didn't seem likely that Brian Westbrook would be faced with this question by 2009: With so many options on offense -- including this new wildcat guy -- do you think defensive coordinators might overlook you? "I hope so," Westbrook said Tuesday in addressing the media for the first time since training camp began. "I hope I can surprise them." While Westbrook has been rehabbing two off-season surgeries, most recently an ankle procedure to shave bone fragments and treat an inflamed tendon, the team has loaded up with offensive talent around him. They spruced up the offensive line, used a first-round pick on a wide receiver and used a second-rounder on Westbrook's eventual ..."

RB Westbrook shows progress

Comment

August 6

Camden Courier-Post

"Running back Brian Westbrook took another step in his recovery from ankle surgery Wednesday during side workouts with head trainer Rick Burkholder. For the first time in camp, Westbrook performed football-like activities, running routes and catching passes from offensive assistant Doug Pederson, a former Eagles quarterback. "Yeah, just trying to get him involved with some football drills," Reid said. "Rick has done a handful of conditioning and rehab drills with him. We brought a quarterback over to throw him the ball, throw him some routes, just to see how he's cutting. I needed to get a little feel on it, just see where he's at." Reid said Westbrook moved around well and is ahead of ..."

Brian Westbrook puts on camp show

Comment

August 6

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Eagles didn't do any live "to-the-ground" hitting during yesterday's morning workout at Lehigh University, but there was plenty of good theater anyway.At the end of the practice, running back Brian Westbrook emerged from the Varsity House and put on a one-man show for an audience of two: coach Andy Reid and trainer Rick Burkholder.In an effort to prove to Reid and Burkholder that he is ready to return before the mid-August target date the head coach outlined at the start of training camp, Westbrook made a series of cuts through an obstacle course of orange practice dummies.There was no indication that Westbrook is feeling any lingering affects from right ankle surgery in early June. ..."

Westbrook, Abiamiri out a few weeks

Comment

July 27

Camden Courier-Post

"Andy Reid opened his first news conference at Lehigh University by announcing that Brian Westbrook wouldn't be ready to practice for at least a month. At least Westbrook will have company in his rehab program. Reid also matter-of-factly delivered the bad news that third-year defensive end Victor Abiamiri will be out of training camp until mid-August after recently straining his pectoral muscle while training. Abiamiri entered camp as the front-runner at left defensive end, though he's competing against incumbent Juqua Parker. It's yet another setback for the Notre Dame product who missed almost all of last season's camp and six regular-season weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a ..."

Westbrook may sit until opener

Comment

June 6

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles say they're comfortable with their running back depth, no matter how shaky it gets. And lately, it's been getting more unsteady by the day. Roughly an hour before an announcement that Brian Westbrook's ankle surgery would keep the Pro Bowl running back sidelined indefinitely, the Eagles were further limited at running back when rookie LeSean McCoy left practice with a severe thumb injury. Projections say Westbrook is unlikely to play during the preseason but should be ready to go when the season starts. Lorenzo Booker, McCoy's top competition to be Westbrook's backup, took the majority of snaps after McCoy left the practice bubble for X-rays that turned up negative. The other ..."

Eagles hold breath on Westbrook surgery

Comment

June 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Eagles' running attack is in limbo as the team awaits word on Brian Westbrook's ankle surgery this morning in Baltimore. While a team source and Westbrook's agent said Wednesday that the surgery to clear bone spurs in the right ankle would be minor, another source close to the situation was more worried about the severity of the injury."I'm just concerned that [the surgery] is being underplayed," the source said yesterday. "It's a lot more than a little spur and it's much more than the knee arthroscopy" Westbrook had in February.Mark Myerson of the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction in Baltimore was to operate.The Eagles start training camp on July 26 and begin the regular ..."

Surgery just one reason to worry about Westbrook

Comment

June 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Phil Sheridan

"The view into the abyss isn't particularly reassuring, not with a couple of unknowns like Lorenzo Booker and LeSean McCoy looking back at you.The Eagles were bound to face life without Brian Westbrook eventually. That's just how it is in professional sports, especially this sport. Players know an injury could end their careers at any time - whether it's a sudden catastrophic blow or the slow erosion of their ability to run fast enough, push hard enough, or change direction suddenly enough.Today's ankle surgery is only one reason to worry that Westbrook may not be Westbrook anymore. His earlier knee surgery is another. But perhaps the most alarming sign was the season that preceded this ..."