The Philadelphia Eagles are pointing to Sunday for a return for running back Brian Westbrook, but saying they hope he will be back and knowing he will be on the field are two different things.

Westbrook missed his second straight game Sunday night against Dallas as the result of a concussion suffered against the Washington Redskins when his head hit the knee of linebacker London Fletcher.

“On Friday afternoon, Brian began experiencing symptoms of a mild headache,” Eagles head trainer Rick Burkholder said in a statement released by the club on Sunday. “From that point forward, we had Brian re-evaluated by (internist) Dr. Gary Dorshimer, and we put him through extensive testing. Even though those tests were determined to be negative, we all thought it would be in the best interests of Brian and the team that he should be deactivated for tonight's game. We will continue to evaluate Brian this week.”

Eagles coach Andy Reid had acted as if Westbrook would play the week before vs. the New York Giants, but he was held out then just six days after sustaining the injury.

“He felt good during the week,” Reid said Sunday night. “He practiced during the week. It's a crazy deal. I know this: If he has (headaches), I'm going to go more on the conservative side and take every precautionary measure possible. I'm not going to stick him out there, even if the tests are positive.”

As Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports, the Eagles can talk a good game about the return of the running back, but no one can say for sure when he will be ready to resume playing. If his headaches persist or return, they will have to rest him.

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