Donovan McNabb's lower abdominal strain is now being classified as a sports hernia, however the Eagles' quarterback is expected to play through the injury for as long as he can tolerate the pain.

Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder explained that the injury is essentially a chronic lower abdominal strain, but noted: "They are something that you can play with. It's something that we will hopefully be able to manage."

The injury was diagnosed by Dr. William Meyers, a Philadelphia-based specialist on sports hernias, and then confirmed when McNabb visted a Boston-area doctor on Tuesday.

QB Donovan McNabb

McNabb participated in Wednesday's practice and said that despite the pain and discomfort, he's confident in his abilities to lead the team.

"I'm ready to go," McNabb said. "I don't have any concerns right now. It's one of those things where you have to realize some days you'll feel fine and some days you won't."

For now, McNabb will take anti-inflammatories. In the treatment room, the trainers will work on the flexibility in his groin area.

"As of right now, the plan is to allow him to participate in games and continue to rehabilitate it, monitor him day by day, game by game," Burkholder said.

Sitting McNabb for a game or two, or perhaps until after the bye week -- which follows road games in Kansas City and Dallas -- is really not an option.

"Rest does not correct the problem," Burkholder said. "What rest does is alleviate the pain for a certain amount of time; and as soon as you stress the area, you are going to get the pain again.

"Pain is the big thing that limits what he can do. It is uncomfortable. It's not something we haven't seen before."

Burkholder explained that other players -- like cornerback Sheldon Brown -- have played through an entire season with such an injury before having it surgically corrected. Terrell Owens and Dirk Johnson have also undergone surgery to correct the problem. McNabb, too, will likely have to have surgery following the season.

The injury, which seemed to impact his mobility and may even effected his throwing mechanics in the first half Sunday, could certainly make the Eagles' signal-caller very uncomfortable for gamedays.

McNabb struggled in the opening 30 minutes of Sunday's game, but rebounded with 266 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing in the final two quarters to lead the Eagles to a 23-20 win over Oakland.

Head ATC Rick Burkholder

"When you stress it -- and it could be from a rotation or it could be a certain way he opens his hips -- you get a pain that they describe as a burning and it could last for a litle bit and then go away," Burkholder said. "Possibly in the second half, not only did he get in a situation where he didn't stress it, but the pain that hurt him earlier in the game went away.

"So that can happen, it can come and go."

In addition to the sports hernia, McNabb has a chest contusion he's still dealing with, as well as a shin contusion suffered in Sunday's game.

Still, McNabb remains unwavered in his confidence to deal with the injuries.

"I look forward to playing every game of the year and leading this team to Detroit," he said.

In other injury news, Reid said placekicker David Akers will miss Sunday's game, leaving Todd France to handle the kicking chores Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Beyond that, Reid said "we'll take it week by week."

As for injured defensive tackle Darwin Walker, Reid said it "will be a stretch" for him to play Sunday, however Walker is "making progress" in rehabbing a thigh contusion suffered last Friday.