Eagles Notes: Westbrook to miss next three games

Coach Andy Reid confirmed what seemed to be implied in a statement released by Pittsburgh concussion specialists on Wednesday concerning Brian Westbrook's immediate future: that the running back is out for the next three games.

Westbrook was already out for tomorrow night's game at Chicago. Asked yesterday if the prognosis of Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins, a two-to-three-week rehabilitation, meant that Westbrook would be unable to play against Washington on Nov. 29 and at Atlanta on Dec. 6, Reid said yes.

"I think the doctors want to see how he does after two weeks, what kind of symptoms he has, and then they'll just go back through and evaluate him after that - two to three weeks," Reid said. "We'll just see how he feels after that."

Westbrook, who suffered his second concussion in 20 days Sunday at San Diego, returned from Pittsburgh and was at the NovaCare Complex on Thursday. He isn't expected to begin physical activity until, at the earliest, next week.

"We're backing off this week, just letting him rest," Reid said. "Next week, he can start going to meetings and some things. We'll see how he feels as he goes."

With Westbrook shelved for an extended period, perhaps even for the rest of the season, LeSean McCoy becomes the starter.

The rookie has three previous starts. In those assignments, he rushed 44 times for 220 yards (a 5.0-yard average) and two touchdowns. In his five other games, he has averaged 3.2 yards on 42 carries for 133 yards.

Asked Thursday if the game plan would be altered with Westbrook out of the equation, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg indicated it would - to an extent.

"Every player has different strengths, and so you try to play to their strengths," Mornhinweg said. "LeSean and Brian are kind of in the same mold, but each of them has different strengths within that same mold there."

McCoy will have help as he did before, with fullback Leonard Weaver and backup Eldra Buckley. He probably won't receive much help from the team's Wildcat-Spread package. That facet of the offense has become less and less a part of the running game, as has Michael Vick.

After a career performance in San Diego, wide receiver Jason Avant didn't put much stock into returning to his native city when the Eagles visit Chicago.

He's been back to the Windy City plenty of times since growing up on the South Side, including last year when the Eagles lost to the Bears, 24-20. Moreover, this isn't a social trip.

"It really doesn't matter, going back home, to me," Avant said. "We just need a win. I'm really trying to stay as far away from my family as I can right now."

Avant set career marks with eight catches for 156 yards last week. He didn't seem impressed by those numbers.

"I play to glorify God in this game," Avant said. "I know it's just an opportunity and skill that he's given me. Being blessed to come up from one of the roughest areas in Chicago and just be out here is a total testament to how Jesus can change your life around.

"I'm just thankful to be here. Whether I catch none or I catch eight, it doesn't really matter. I just want to win."

Quarterback Donovan McNabb and linebacker Joe Mays are the Eagles' other Chicagoans.

Linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee), as expected, is out for the Bears game. With Will Witherspoon filling in for Jordan for the second straight week, Mays is expected to start in the middle. "He's worked in there," Reid said. "He worked in there last week a little bit, too. We have different combinations that we can use there." . . . With safety Quintin Demps (ankle) also out, Macho Harris will return kicks. . . . Reid said wide receiver Kevin Curtis still had a way to go before he could return from arthroscopic knee surgery. Curtis, who will miss his eighth straight game tomorrow, returned to Philadelphia this week after undergoing surgery in Utah. The scar was still visible and bandaged yesterday.