The Eagles aren't ruling him out of Sunday's important NFC East game against Washington. But it's more likely he'll make his first '08 appearance next week against San Francisco.

"He's coming back from rehab," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He looked pretty good yesterday, so that's a good thing. He's continuing his rehab. In talking to him, I know that he wants to start turning it loose here. So we'll see."

Curtis had 77 catches for 1,110 yards and six touchdowns last season. His return, coupled with the impressive play of rookie DeSean Jackson, would be a big boost to the Eagles' passing game.

"We like to get our players back as quickly as possible," Mornhinweg said. "But he has to be rockin' and rollin' before (we) would do that."

--Jim Johnson is blitzing his linebackers more than he ever has in the nine years he's been the Eagles' defensive coordinator. And it's paying off. His linebackers already have 3 1/2 sacks. That's a half sack more than the linebackers had all of last year. He has been using SAM linebacker Chris Gocong, a former college defensive end, as a blitzer off the edge, and has been lining MLB Stewart Bradley and WLB Omar Gaither in the 'A' gaps between the center and guards. Bradley and Gaither already have combined for 6 tackles for losses.

PLAYER NOTES

--DE Victor Abiamiri, who had screws removed from his surgically repaired wrist earlier this week, practiced for the first time Thursday, though it was on a limited basis. He isn't expected to play Sunday against Washington.

--RB Brian Westbrook was a limited participant in practice Thursday for the second straight day, though it still will be a game-day decision on whether he plays against Washington.

--TE L.J. Smith practiced for the second straight day and had no problems with the back injury that kept him out of last week's game. He is expected to play Sunday against Washington.

--OT Tra Thomas has been listed on the injury report with a knee the last two days, but has been a full participant in practice and is expected to start Sunday against Washington.

--QB Donovan McNabb still has some discomfort with his upper chest injury. But he practiced fully Thursday and will play Sunday against the Redskins.

--RG Shawn Andrews saw a specialist Wednesday about his injured back. Andrews has missed the last two games and won't play this week either.

--G Max Jean-Gilles will make his third straight start at RG Sunday in place of injured Shawn Andrews.

GAME PLAN: The Eagles aren't too worried about their ability to shut down the Redskins' ground game Sunday. The Eagles have given up a league-best 2.6 yards per carry this season. A bigger concern for them is stopping wide receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley, who have combined for 600 of the Redskins' 878 passing yards. They'll likely have CB Asante Samuel shadow Moss much of the afternoon. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson probably won't blitz as much as he has the past two weeks because of Jason Campbell's mobility.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles CB Asante Samuel vs. Redskins WR Santana Moss -- Samuel is the Eagles' best cover man, but Moss is on fire, catching 27 passes already.

Eagles SLB Chris Gocong vs. Redskins TE Chris Cooley: Gocong, a former defensive end, still is a work in progress in coverage.

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Redskins CB Shawn Springs: Jackson has had a big impact on the Eagles' air game. The 33-year-old Springs is nursing a calf strain.

INJURY IMPACT: Max Jean-Gilles will make his third straight start at RG in place of injured Shawn Andrews (back). Jean-Gilles is a masher, but doesn't have Andrews' athleticism.

--TE L.J. Smith (back) is expected to play this week, which should bolster the Eagles' red-zone offense.