End of the Road for Westbrook?

Last night, Sports Final’s own Howard Eskin reported that Brian Westbrook will likely be forced to retire because of recurring knee injuries. In the next week or so, the injury-plagued running back will visit specialists to determine if there is any chance left that he can continue his football career.

We all were witness to the extremely tough year by Westy this season. He battled through two concussions and balky knees to play in just eight regular seasons games and one playoff game. In the playoff loss to Dallas, he touched the ball just once, which goes to show that coach Reid did not like the way he looked in practice during the week. Already having returned from multiple concussions, it sure smells like Reid thought Westbrook’s left knee in particular failed to let him play up to his potential.

Due $7.25 million next season, the last on his current contract, it is getting more and more doubtful that we see our beloved No. 36 wear Eagles green again. Before the Eagles decide to release Westbrook, they will give him the chance to retire. If doctors tell him he could play, he might let the Eagles cut him and give another team a chance, but Eskin commented that Westbrook would likely fail any physical that another team performs.

This is certainly tough news to swallow, as so many of us have watched the Villanova product flourish since being drafted in the third round back in 2002. Such is the reality in the life of an NFL running back. Of all positions, they have the least average time spent in the league, due to years of constant pounding by defenses. With Westbrook on the wrong side of 30 and having logged eight years in the NFL, there should be no real surprise in the decline in health and production.

When a decision on Westbrook’s career is made final, look for a career flashback on one of the best Eagles player in franchise history.

Tags: Andy Reid, Brian Westbrook, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles