Head coach Andy Reid said wide receiver Todd Pinkston will make his preseason debut Friday night against the Steelers. That includes some reps with the the first-team offense -- with Correll Buckhalter starting at running back -- which is expected to play the entire first half and into the third quarter.

On defense, Reid said first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley will start at one of the defensive tackle spots.

But the news of the day is Pinkston's return. The Eagles' most-experienced receiver has been in and out of the lineup throughout training camp and has yet to play in a preseason game because of his Achilles problem. He practiced this week and appears ready to go.

WR Todd Pinkston caught 4 passes for 82 yards in Super Bowl XXXIX, his last game action since his Achilles injury

"We were able to keep the swelling out of there," Reid said. "I'll limit his plays. He'll run with the twos and rotate in with the ones."

The head coach is realistic with his expectations for Pinkston, who last played a game in Super Bowl XXXIX.

"I'd like to see him get in the game and play. I think he's ready. I think he feels like he's ready," Reid said. "I think he feels pretty good, so we'll see how he does in there."

When healthy, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver is a downfield threat. He's averaged 15.3 yards per catch during his career.

Speaking of receivers, Reid said he'll "rotate a bunch of guys" in with McNabb and the first-team offense, including free-agent receiver Jabar Gaffney, who is coming off his best performance to date, a four-catch performance against the Ravens.

As for Buckhalter, Reid indicated that the 6-foot, 217-pound back will see a little more action than he did last week in Baltimore. Though he rushed just five times for eight yards, Buckhalter made his presence felt on the open field with a 48-yard catch-and-run to set up the game's opening score.

"He'll probably have a couple more chances than what he had last week," Reid said.

A 'Super' Challenge

Reid has liked what he's seen from his starters and wants to see how they measure up against the defending Super Bowl champions. That -- and the likelihood that this could be their final dress rehearsal before the Sept. 10 opener -- may be part of the reason for their anticipated extended play time Friday night.

"It's a pretty good test for our guys and an opportunity to play against a good team," Reid said. "I'd like to continue to see progress and get ourselves right so when we come out against the Texans we are ready to go."

McNabb and the first-team offense have been impressive thus far in the preseason, accounting for 20 points in limited action. Their most extensive outing came last week against the Ravens and the result was 10 points. In addition, the unit has put up points on its opening possession in its previous three exhibition contests.

This week's challenge: a 3-4 defense that likes to blitz.

RB Correll Buckhalter is expected to see more work on Friday

"The bottom line is they are bringing extra people and you have to be sharp up front," Reid said. "That's their defense. They're not going to change that. That's what they're going to do and that will be good for our offensive line to practice against."

As for Jeremiah Trotter, Brian Dawkins and Co., they'll have to contend with Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker, but not Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, who is out with a hamstring injury.

In his second appearance of the preseason last Saturday, a sore-thumbed Roethlisberger ran a no-huddle offense while throwing for a touchdown on Pittsburgh's opening drive.

Ironically, McNabb also successfully orchestrated the no-huddle last week and took the team to a 10-0 lead against Baltimore.

That said, Reid expects an entertaining night of football.

"Their offense right now, they're keeping it vanilla, basically like we are; but at the same time it's good players playing against good players and they'll get good work in," Reid said.

Playing against Pittsburgh should also be a good test for Bunkley, the team's first-round pick who chipped in a sack and a half last week.

"He's getting better," Reid said. "He still needs to get himself all the way back to playing shape, but he is making progress."

Fullback Update

The battle at fullback continues with incumbent Josh Parry and former fifth-round pick Thomas Tapeh. Both are expected to see time with the first-team unit on Friday.

Reid gave no indication who's ahead, but did note Tapeh's versatility as both a running back and a fullback.

"The thing I mention about [FB] Thomas [Tapeh] is people forget that he was a fullback in college, but he was also a running back in college," Reid said. "When they went single back, he was the single back. He can do both things and that gives you a little flexibility there.

"Tomorrow he'll play fullback and you might see him a little bit as a runner."

Injury Update

The following players will not play Friday night: receiver/returner Jeremy Bloom, offensive guard Adrien Clarke, fullback Jason Davis, linebacker Chris Gocong, defensive end Jerome McDougle, linebacker Greg Richmond, defensive tackle Darwin Walker and running back Brian Westbrook.