Brian Westbrook Re-injures Knee, Has No Plans to Miss Cardinals Game

Pretty sure this isn't breaking news, and, frankly, unless we all get in a time machine and go back to Sept. 2008, it barely qualifies as news. But ESPN's Sal Paolantonio just reported it on SportsCenter, so it must be ... something.

Eagles all-everything running back Brian Westbrook re-injured his already injured left knee during Sunday's 21-11 victory over the Giants, but just like the 16 other times this season, he plans on playing this weekend. Via Mr. Paolantonio:

Westbrook said he is dealing with some "extra swelling" in the knee and wouldn't practice Wednesday.

"I'm going to spend more time running in the pool to help the muscles around the knee fire up a little bit better," he said. Westbrook finished with just 36 yards on 18 carries and had two receptions for 10 yards last weekend.

And while this probably does merit a mention -- Philly plays its most important game of the season Saturday -- the bigger story, I think, is that Westbrook might be one of the toughest dudes in the league. He's had lingering knee problems all season, but since missing the Week 6 game against the 49ers, he's racked up three 100-plus rushing efforts, and scored eight touchdowns. And more importantly, when Westbrook's on the field, the Eagles are a completely different offense.

The Cardinals' defense has had a resurgence of sorts in recent weeks, and while virtually everybody thinks Philly's ticket to the Super Bowl is just a 60-minute formality, that perception changes without Westbrook in the lineup. Luckily, a bad knee isn't enough to keep him on the sidelines.