Star Eagles running back Brian Westbrook played most of Sunday’s loss against the Washington Redskins with two fractured ribs. The news was revealed during coach Andy Reid’s Monday press conference.

When asked whether Westbrook would be able to play next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, Reid was vague and noncomittal. You’re shocked, I can tell.

“We’ll just have to see,” said Reid. “We’ll see how things go here the next few days. He’s sore.”

Unfortunately, reports from the Eagles’ ultimate weapon are even less encouraging than from the coach.

“It’s kind of similar to the ankle,” Westbrook said. “It’s kind of wait and see. You rehab it. You continue to try to do everything you can to get yourself ready. You go to practice. You watch the tape. You understand your plays. At the end of the day, you have to try to get a feel for what it’s going to feel like.

Westbrook said on his radio show on 950 ESPN that he was in extreme pain and had trouble sleeping Sunday night, but he did not rule out not playing against the 49ers.

“Can you stand that pain and be effective? Are you going to be out there at 45 percent and not being able to take a hit? No, I would rather have Correll Buckhalter … take over and carry this team. I’m optimistic about it, but at the same time I’m realistic about it.”

While I certainly agree with Westbrook that a healthy Buckhalter is better than a 45% B-West, not having Westbrook is bad.

For example, see two weeks ago when the Eagles lost to the Chicago Bears. Without Westbrook, the Bears were able to put serious pressure on quarterback Donovan McNabb and the passing attack. Buckhalter was held to just  66 yards on 16 attempts. The offense was stopped four times from the one yard line on a drive that ultimately settled the game.

The injury occurred when Westbrook ran through a hole on the left side for five yards. He was tackled low on the play by Redskins safety LaRon Landry, then hit from behind by safety Chris Horton as he went to the ground.

After the play, Westbrook was visibly in pain, repeatedly touching his ribs on the sideline.

We’ll see how things progress this week.