Rest is best if Westbrook is to play on Sunday

January 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brian Westbrook walks around slowly, often with a limp. He watches practices from the sideline, needing the extra rest to be ready for game days.

Injuries have limited Westbrook’s production this season, but the Philadelphia Eagles still rely on their dynamic running back, even if he’s only a decoy at times.

“It’s frustrating when you’re not 100 percent,” Westbrook said Wednesday. “I’ve been battling all year. I continue to be positive, I can do the things I need to do to help this team.”

Westbrook sat out Wednesday’s practice, but he’ll certainly play against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s NFC championship game.

“Just being able to get my legs, my knees, my ankles a little bit of rest, I think it continues to help me recover a little bit better, a little bit more every week,” Westbrook said. “That’s something that I think is playing a big part of me even being able to go out there and play on Sundays.”

In Philadelphia’s 26-14 victory at Minnesota in the first round, Westbrook was held to 38 yards rushing on 20 carries. But he broke loose for a 71-yard TD on a screen pass to seal the victory in the fourth quarter.

In seven previous playoff games, Westbrook averaged 6.0 yards per carry. He’s managed just 1.9 yards this season on 38 attempts in the last two. Westbrook doesn’t care about the stats if the Eagles keep winning.

“Anytime we can win, I’m happy about it,” he said. “Of course, I want to have a great game. For me to have an average game or below average game and we win, I’m still pleased.”

Westbrook found plenty of holes to run through during the Eagles’ 48-20 win over the Cardinals on Thanksgiving. He had 110 yards rushing and scored four TDs, including two receiving.

Arizona’s defense has come a long way since that game, particularly in the playoffs. The Cardinals shut down the league’s No. 2 and No. 3 rushing teams — Atlanta and Carolina — to get here.

“Their defense as a whole is playing a lot more aggressive,” Westbrook said. “We know that they are good against the run. We need to be efficient on first and second downs and keep them in third-down situations where they have to play the run and the pass. If we’re able to do that, then we should be fine.”