The news all Eagles fans care most about was covered quite thoroughly Sunday by head coach Andy Reid in his first news conference of training camp.
He expects running back Brian Westbrook to be ready to practice again by mid-August.
That's encouraging news for the powers that be, but not the best for fans who would like to catch a glimpse or two of the dynamic star before the Eagles leave Lehigh University on Aug. 12 and depart for the private confines of their NovaCare Complex headquarters to finish training camp.
Westbrook, who will turn 30 in September, is coming off a pair of offseason surgeries -- first on his left knee and then to remove bone spurs from his right ankle. His production slipped dramatically last year after a spectacular season in 2007, when he established career highs in rushing yards (1,333), receptions (90) and receiving yards (771).
"I think he has a chance to be back by mid-August and then we'll just take it from there," Reid said. "You never know on these things.
"Everybody heals a little bit different. Some people heal faster than other people. We'll just see how it works out."
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