McNabb returns to practice, expected to start

[October 06, 2009]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to practice Monday and is expected to start Sunday when the Eagles host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McNabb has been out since breaking his rib in the season opener. He missed two games before the Eagles had their bye this past weekend.

"He looked good," said backup Kevin Kolb, who replaced McNabb for two starts, with the Eagles going 1-1. "He was throwing the ball well."

Seated at his locker after practice, which was closed to the media, McNabb refused to address reporters on any topic from his health to whether local football team Temple is better than his alma mater, Syracuse.

"No comment," McNabb said each time to a string of questions.

Coach Andy Reid was not made available to the media Monday and is not expected to speak formally until his regularly scheduled news conference Wednesday morning.

Running back Brian Westbrook, who also sat out the Eagles' last game with a knee injury, was back at Monday's short practice, the team's first since taking a week off for the bye.

McNabb was injured scoring a rushing touchdown Sept. 6 in a win over the Carolina Panthers.

"I enjoyed being No. 1. I also know the situation and I understand it," Kolb said. "If I were forced to fill in again, I'll be ready. I think we know now we can win with someone else in there, with me in there. I have more confidence now. I mean, I was always confident in myself, but until you do it you're really not sure.

"Even now just because I did it for two games doesn't mean I can do it over an entire season or a whole career. But I think I did help my confidence and the confidence of others around me."

Michael Vick is also expected to dress against the Bucs. His role is still undefined.

"I'm just going to continue to do whatever I can to help the team win," Vick said Monday.

One of those things is to lose a few pounds. Vick, who missed two years while he was serving prison time for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, is down to 212 pounds. He says his ideal playing weight is 208.

"I'm almost there," he said. "I can see the light."

Notes: Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) and backup cornerback Dimitri Patterson (hand) returned to practice Monday. The only player who did not practice was left guard Todd Herremans, who is out with a stress fracture in his foot. Herremans was walking in a boot. He still hopes to be back by the team's Oct. 26 Monday night game at Washington. ... Vick scoffed at rumors that he is on the trading block. "That's just talk," he said. "And I don't even listen. I'm just trying to focus on helping the team."

Kolb would return to his role as the No. 2 quarterback. Michael Vick is also expected to dress against the Bucs.

[Associated Press]

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