McNabb Claims He'll Be Starting On Sunday

I've said many times that McNabb would mostly comeback Week 5 against Tampa Bay, and that apparently will be the case. McNabb and Reid have both echoed the sentiments that McNabb will play this Sunday against Tampa Bay. Via Yahoo! Sports

Donovan McNabb(notes) is ready to pull on the No. 5 gameday jersey, take the snap, drop back and throw the ball downfield.

McNabb plans to start when Philadelphia plays Tampa Bay on Sunday, his first action since breaking his rib in the season opener. McNabb still feels some discomfort and needs a protective jacket to absorb punishing hits.

“You’re talking about one of the all-time greats playing quarterback,” coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “Somebody who has been here a long time and when it’s all said and done will be one of the all-time greatest to play that position. It’s always good to get that kind of a player back in there.”

This time, McNabb will have Michael Vick(notes) to help out.

McNabb hasn’t played since he took a hard shot in the end zone after a rushing touchdown Sept. 13 in a win over the Carolina Panthers. He missed two games before the Eagles (2-1) had their bye this past weekend.

“The bye week came at the right time and gave me an opportunity to get back out there this week,” McNabb said.

McNabb practiced on Wednesday and should have his familiar, and banged-up, running back behind him. Reid said Brian Westbrook(notes) also should be able to play on Sunday. Westbrook, who practiced Wednesday, sat out the Eagles’ last game with a knee injury.

McNabb still feels some discomfort when he laughs, coughs or sleeps on his side. Extended periods of sitting and standing are also uncomfortable for the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who doesn’t expect to be fully recovered for another two to four weeks.

While McNabb playing injured certainly worries me, I am grateful that our next 3 games are against Tampa, Oakland, and Washington. That's 3 easy games that should turn into 3 easy wins. All they have to do is make sure that the ball gets into the arms of Jackson, Westbrook, and McCoy, hope the defense does it's job, and the rest should be history.