Don't expect Westbrook Sunday; Cole fined $15,000

The decision on when Brian Westbrook returns to playing is still very much up in the air, but all signs point to the Eagles running back not being ready to play against the 49ers in four days.

A team source told The Inquirer today that there's almost no way Westbrook makes it back by Sunday.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said that Westbrook would practice today, but that he would run with the scout team again. Westbrook worked with the scout team all last week and was considered just a limited participant. He ended up not playing at the Giants and has now missed four straight games.

Reid was asked if was preparing as if wouldn't have Westbrook Sunday. "I am today," he said.

The coach also pointed out that Westbrook still needed to get back in football shape since he was unable to do almost anything while he recovered from the second concussion he suffered on Nov. 15 at San Diego.

Also on the injury front, Reid said that Brent Celek's back was still sore and that the tight end will not practice today. Still, Reid said that Celek wil play Sunday. The promotion of Martin Rucker suggets otherwise, but we'll take Andy on his word. Celek tweaked his back getting up out of a chair during a meeting.

Jeremy Maclin, meanwhile, is doing better, so Reid has not ruled the wide receiver out for Sunday yet. Maclin, who tore his plantar fascia, won't practice today. He gave a thumbs up in the locker room when he asked how he felt. Reid suggested on Monday that Kevin Curtis could be the one to replace Maclin on the gameday roster should he be unable to play. Curtis, though, will remain limited at practice today.

Cole fined

Eagles defensive end Trent Cole said he was fined for the punches he threw at New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara near the end of Sunday night's game up at the Meadowland. Cole would not disclose the amount of the fine, but he said he had no plans to appeal.

A league source said both Cole and O'Hara were fined $15,000.

"I embarrassed myself and my team," Cole said. "It was just a situation I didn't want to be in ... but it happened and you have to deal with it, take the consequences and move forward to the next week."

Reid said Monday that Cole was protecting one of his teammates and defensive end Jason Babin confirmed that he was that teammate. Babin said two Giants offensive linemen had taken some cheap shots against him after taking him to the ground.

"Stuff happens," Cole said. "I'm always there to help and protect any of my teammates. It was a situation that got ugly and it got out of hand."

Cole was limited during practice because of a hamstring injury, but he said he expects to play Sunday against San Francisco.