PLAYER NOTES

--G Shawn Andrews still hasn't been given the green light to return from California where he had back surgery almost four weeks ago, which makes it unlikely he'll play again for the Eagles this season.

--FB Kyle Eckel was signed by the Eagles nearly a month ago but still hasn't been activated for a game. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that, unless his starting fullback, Dan Klecko, gets hurt, that probably won't change.

--WR Reggie Brown has just two catches in two games since returning from a groin injury.

--RB Correll Buckhalter has just 11 touches in the past three games, after notching 178 rushing and receiving yards in the Eagles' Week 7 win over San Francisco when Brian Westbrook was hurt.

GAME PLAN: The Eagles are fourth in the league in takeaways with 17, and the Bengals have the league's fifth most giveaways (18). So the Eagles will try to add to their total Sunday. Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick already has six fumbles to go with six interceptions.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles CBs Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel vs. Bengals WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson -- Houshmandzadeh and Johnson both are averaging less than 10 yards per catch but are dangerous receivers.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Bengals MLB Dhani Jones: Jones doesn't have the physical skills to deal with Westbrook in space, but Westbrook is not 100 percent.

INJURY IMPACT: It would appear that Pro Bowl RG Shawn Andrews won't be returning this season. He had back surgery last month but still hasn't returned to Philadelphia from California, where he had the surgery. Max Jean-Gilles has started in his place since Week 3 and will continue to do so.

--CB Asante Samuel did not practice Thursday. He was listed on the injury report with a hip injury. The severity of the injury as far as whether he'll be able to play on Sunday is uncertain.

--CB Lito Sheppard played just one defensive snap in last week's loss to the Giants. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said it was because Sheppard, who had been nursing a groin injury, hadn't practiced much last week, and until Sunday morning, he didn't even know if he was going to be able to play. Johnson said Sheppard will play a lot this week against the Bengals.

--RB Brian Westbrook practiced Thursday. He is listed on the injury report with a knee, even though he said earlier in the week that it was his ankle that gave him the most problems Sunday against the Giants.

--WR DeSean Jackson is on the injury report with a groin injury, but practiced fully Thursday and is expected to play Sunday.

--QB Donovan McNabb was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice for non-football reasons that weren't disclosed.