--FB Kyle Eckel was signed by the Eagles on Tuesday. Eckel spent the 2007 season with the Patriots. He will play on special teams and back up starting FB Dan Klecko.

--RB Brian Westbrook said his fractured ribs are feeling a little better and he remains hopeful he'll be able to play Sunday against Atlanta. He practiced Monday.

--FB Dan Klecko, who was switched to fullback from defensive tackle two weeks ago, is the only fullback on the Eagles' roster now that Tony Hunt has been released.

--RB Correll Buckhalter already has 48 rushing attempts this season, which is just 14 fewer than he had all of last season. The main reason for that has been injuries to Brian Westbrook. But coach Andy Reid has indicated that he wants to keep giving Buckhalter a significant amount of touches even after Westbrook comes back.

--TE L.J. Smith has just five receptions in the last five games. He missed one of those five games with a back injury.

--WR Reggie Brown, who missed the 49ers game with a groin injury, is expected to play this week against Atlanta. Brown has missed three of the Eagles' first six games with injuries.

REPORT CARD AFTER 6 GAMES

PASSING OFFENSE: B-minus -- The Eagles' best wideout, Kevin Curtis, missed the first six games after having surgery to repair a sports hernia. They also were without their other starting wideout, Reggie Brown, for three of those six games. But rookie DeSean Jackson stepped up in a big way, and Hank Baskett also has been productive.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C-minus -- Inconsistent blocking and injuries to running back Brian Westbrook (ankle, fractured ribs) have hampered the Eagles' ground game. They've averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. It hasn't helped that the Eagles don't have a true blocking fullback.

PASS DEFENSE: B -- As evidenced by their 21 sacks, the Eagles have put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That pressure has helped the Eagles force 12 turnovers in the first six games, which is just seven fewer than they forced all of last season. Their biggest problem has been stopping opposing tight ends.

RUSH DEFENSE: B-minus -- The Eagles held their first four opponents to a total - a total - of 215 rushing yards. But that dominance changed in Week 5 when Clinton Portis and the Redskins rushed for 203 yards against them. Right before the bye, they also were gashed by the 49ers' Frank Gore, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry against them.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-minus -- DeSean Jackson has given the Eagles a punt returner with home run ability, and KR Quintin Demps also has big-time speed. But kicker David Akers no longer is reliable beyond 40 yards and the Eagles' kickoff coverage has too many cracks.

COACHING: B-minus -- The Eagles' offense has been productive in the first half of games but stagnant in the second, which seems to indicate that Andy Reid is being outcoached by opposing defensive coordinators in the final two quarters. Special teams coach Rory Segrest often appears to be in over his head.