PLAYER NOTES

--WR Reggie Brown practiced fully for the second straight day and is expected to play Sunday. Brown missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury.

--RG Shawn Andrews, who missed the second half of last week's game with back spasms, wasn't able to practice Thursday. There's a good possibility he won't play Sunday against the Steelers.

--C Jamaal Jackson didn't practice for the second straight day. His absence is non-injury-related, though the team won't disclose the exact reason for his absence.

--DE Victor Abiamiri will have his surgically-repaired wrist examined by a doctor this week and may be cleared to start practicing soon. He will not play this week against Pittsburgh.

--FB Tony Hunt, who tweaked his hamstring late in Monday night's loss to the Cowboys, participated fully in practice Thursday and is expected to play Sunday against Pittsburgh. Hunt is the only fullback on the roster.

GAME PLAN: Pittsburgh is a run-oriented team that has run the ball 70 times in its first two games and thrown just 33 times. The Eagles, who have held their first two opponents to just 2.6 yards per carry, will try to shut down RB Willie Parker and force QB Ben Roethlisberger into obvious passing situations. With their front four having difficulty getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, look for defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to blitz a lot more than he did last week.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons -- Timmons plays in Steelers nickel package and could be matched up against Westbrook in coverage.

Eagles C Jamaal Jackson vs. Steelers NT Casey Hampton: Another beefy nose tackle lining up on Jackson's nose.

Eagles DE Trent Cole vs. Steelers LT Marvel Smith: Cole is Eagles' best pass-rusher, but has just a half a sack in two games.