Fast Break

NFL

Hawks may see McNabb Sunday

Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb, on the mend from a sprained ankle and thumb, said Wednesday he is closer to getting back on the field than he was a week ago. But his availability for Sunday’s game against the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (7-4) is still uncertain.

“I feel a lot closer, but you have to be smart about the whole situation,” he said.

McNabb’s backup, A.J. Feeley, had a career game in a loss to undefeated New England last Sunday with 345 yards and three touchdown passes. But coach Andy Reid has shown unwavering support for McNabb and said he will be his starting quarterback against the Seahawks, if he is healthy.

“When Donovan’s ready to come back physically, then he’ll be the starting quarterback,” Reid said. “Let’s not confuse words here.”

College basketball

EWU home against Broncos

Eastern Washington’s men’s basketball team will make a rare early season appearance at Reese Court tonight when the Eagles (2-4) entertain Santa Clara in a non-conference game that tips off at 7:05.

Eastern comes in having finished 1-2 in the Great Alaska Shootout last week, edging host Alaska Anchorage 64-62 on Saturday. The Eagles, under first-year coach Kirk Earlywine, lost to Virginia Tech and Michigan in their first two games in the Shootout.

Santa Clara (4-1), which figures to be a legitimate contender for this year’s West Coast Conference title, beat Sacramento State 77-65 in its last outing, and punished EWU 91-68 at home last season. The Broncos are led by 6-foot-10 senior center John Bryant, who is averaging 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots per game.