The door remains open for veteran back Dorsey Levens. But for now, the Eagles' running game rests on the arms -- and legs -- of Brian Westbrook with a little help from second-year man Reno Mahe and even rookie fullback/halfback Thomas Tapeh.

It's quite a contrast from a year ago when Westbrook entered the season as the youngest of the three-man backfield utilized by head coach Andy Reid.

With Correll Buckhalter sidelined for the year, Westbrook is the senior member of the backfield. Westbrook has 163 career carries. Mahe has none.

Levens was signed two weeks ago to provide veteran depth, but he was released on Sunday. And while Reid said there's a "possibility" Levens could return, he's pleased with what he has... at the moment.

RB Brian Westbrook

"Obviously, [RB] Brian [Westbrook] is going to get the bulk of the halfback shots and we'll mix the other guys in," said Reid. "I feel very comfortable with the other guys and what they can do. Right now, we're good with what we have. Until something else happens, I feel very comfortable with the guys that we have there."

The team is so comfortable at the position that it didn't even add a running back to its eight-man practice squad. They did, however, add fullback Josh Parry.

However, Westbrook's injuries over his first two seasons have led some to question his durability. He missed one game last season as part of two other due a high ankle sprain. He then suffered a torn tricep tendon in his left arm in the season finale.

"He's just had a couple of bad breaks the last couple of years," Reid said. "He was very productive in college, carried the ball a lot in college. I know he can do it at this level."

Westbrook is an explosive back when healthy. He averaged 4.2 yards a carry on 46 touches in his rookie season and improved on that with 5.2-yard-per-carry average on 117 rushing attempts in 2003.

At Villanova University, Westbrook was more than able to shoulder the running load. In 1998, he had 200 carries. In 2000, he had 179 carries. In his senior season, he had 249 carries and averaged 6.4 yards per carry and 146 yards per game.

Westbrook himself is tired of hearing about how he won't be able to shoulder the load.

"I think people like to bring it up just to make a story," said Westbrook, who averaged eight carries per game in '03 while sharing reps with Buckhalter and Duce Staley. "If that was the issue last year, then hopefully it won't repeat itself this season."

Said Mahe of his teammate: "To me, I think Brian Westbrook is the best running back in the NFL -- not only one of the best running backs, but one of the best players. I'm just trying to emulate everything he does.

"He's one of those guys who makes plays pretty much every time he touches the ball. You look at those other running backs, they get to touch the ball 20-30 times a game. Westbrook will touch it 5-10 times and everyone knows he played that game.

"It's ridiculous how good he is. I only hope to be half as good as he is."

Westbrook and Mahe are both quick backs, but both are relatively small. Westbrook stands at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds and Mahe is 5-foot-10, 212 pounds. But Reid knows what both can do.

Westbrook figures to be fresh. His workload was extremely lmited in the preseason. Mahe, meanwhile, rushed for 103 yards on 21 carries in three preseason games. He made the team last season primarily as a role player on special teams. He didn't get a single carry, but showed that he made strides with his performance in the preseason.

And if the Eagles need size in the backfield, look out for Tapeh. The 6-foot-1, 243-pound Tapeh provides the size, but has been mainly learning the fullback position. Tapeh did get some reps at halfback in the preseason and proved he can fill in should the need arise which, according to Mahe, could be a very good thing.

"Don't sleep on Thomas," Mahe said. "As soon as it clicks upstairs, he's a force. He's going to be good."

INJURY UPDATE

Following practice, the players celebrated Jevon "The Freak" Kearse's birthday with some cake

The team held a 10-10-10, non-contact workout on Monday afternoon and the only two players missing rookie offensive guard Adrien Clarke (hamstring) and veteran defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis (Achilles).

Defensive tackle Darwin Walker was excused for personal reasons, but is expected back for Wednesday's practice.

Still, Reid acknowledged that a number of players are banged up at other positions, particularly at linebacker. Perhaps that's why the team elected to carry seven linebackers on the roster to start the season, and why Levens was let go.

"We had to do what we had to do to fit the roster for today and for this coming game," Reid said. "We'll just see what happens in the future.

"We're banged up in some spots. Linebacker isn't necessarily the only one, but that is one of the positions that we're banged up."

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Following a day off Tuesday, the team will return to the NovaCare Complex Wednesday for a full complement of meetings and practice.

PhiladelphiaEagles.com will have complete coverage with LIVE VIDEO of Reid, Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens as they meet the media. And at 1 p.m., tune in for the first regular season edition of Eagles Live!.