Eagles lose Westbrook with sprained right foot
Running back Brian Westbrook will miss the rest of the season with a right foot injury, the fourth Pro Bowl player the Philadelphia Eagles have lost for the season in the last month.
Westbrook hurt his foot in the first half of Monday night’s 42-0 loss to Seattle. An MRI on Tuesday confirmed he has a Lis Franc sprain, an injury more common in automobile accidents and equestrian sports.
Westbrook joins quarterback Donovan McNabb (sports hernia), cornerback Lito Sheppard (ankle) and left tackle Tra Thomas (back) on the injured list.
Westbrook leads the Eagles with 617 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
He also had a team-high 61 catches for 616 yards and four TDs.
Rookie Ryan Moats likely will take Westbrook’s spot, although he could share time with Lamar Gordon and Reno Mahe.
“Now the Eagles have a quarterback controversy.
A disastrous season filled with injuries and the Terrell Owens saga got worse for the reigning NFC champions following Monday’s embarrassing loss to Seattle.
Mike McMahon, who started his third game for the injured Donovan McNabb, was benched after throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Koy Detmer wasn’t much better, throwing two picks and losing a fumble.
Coach Andy Reid hasn’t decided which of the two mediocre quarterbacks will start Sunday when the Eagles (5-7) host the NFC East-leading New York Giants (8-4).
“I want the best guy out there to do the job,” Reid said. “That’s where you look No. 1. Who I think can be most effective against the team that you’re playing, I guess you take that into some consideration.”
Roethlisberger should play Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, coming off consecutive losses for the first time in his two-season career, is listed as probable despite his injured right thumb.
He passed for a career-high 383 yards in a 38-31 loss Sunday to Cincinnati while wearing a splint and a glove to protect the thumb.
The Steelers have not denied Roethlisberger’s thumb is broken, and coach Bill Cowher said it makes no difference because Roethlisberger is playing.
“Pittsburgh left tackle Marvel Smith won’t play Sunday against the Chicago Bears because of a sprained right ankle, the third game he will miss in four weeks.
Smith, a Pro Bowl lineman last season, sat out an overtime loss to the Ravens on Nov. 20 with a sprained left ankle, then injured the right ankle the following week against the Colts.
Trai Essex, a rookie from Northwestern, will make his third NFL start in place of Smith.
Around the league
The Arizona Cardinals placed center Alex Stepanovich on injured reserve and re-signed linebacker Isaac Keys. … The San Francisco 49ers signed safety Marques Anderson and waived kicker Jose Cortez. … Free-agent cornerback Pete Hunter signed with the Cleveland Browns, filling a roster spot that opened when wide receiver Braylon Edwards was placed on injured reserve.