Looking for No. 1
PHILADELPHIA — Todd Pinkston isn't going to breathe a sigh of relief until he catches his first pass and takes his first hit.
Pinkston, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles' tendon in training camp, will play in his first game since the Super Bowl 18Z\x months ago when the Philadelphia Eagles host the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night.
The wide receiver hadn't practiced much before this week because both of soreness in both of his Achilles' tendons and his willingness to play through pain had come under scrutiny.
"I'm looking forward to playing in an actual game," Pinkston said Thursday. "I'm not relieved yet. I know I'll be excited."
The Eagles are hoping Pinkston can regain his old form and provide quarterback Donovan McNabb with a familiar target to help overcome the loss of Terrell Owens.
Pinkston became a starter in his second season in 2001 and averaged 44 catches, 659 yards and 3.5 TDs per year between 2001-04. Second-year pro Reggie Brown is slated to be the No. 1 wideout, but Pinkston's experience is an asset.
"I don't have to show anything. I don't have to prove myself to the coaches," Pinkston said. "I'm going into my seventh year in this offense."
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Pinkston will play with the second team and rotate in with the starters. McNabb and the rest of the first unit are expected to play into the third quarter in the next-to-last preseason game.
Another injury-plagued Eagle who won't be treating this as just another meaningless exhibition game is running back Correll Buckhalter. He's getting the start and should have more carries in just his second game back after missing three of the previous four seasons with knee injuries.
Buckhalter played the second and third series during last week's 20-10 loss at Baltimore against the Ravens. He gained 8 yards on five carries and had a 48-yard reception that set up Philadelphia's only touchdown.
While the Eagles will be evaluating key players returning from injuries, the Steelers, like every other team in the preseason, just want to make it through the game without any significant injuries.
Coach Bill Cowher said he'll play his starters most of the first half, though quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker could see less action.
Roethlisberger has played only two series in two games, but he's been sharp in both. Roethlisberger is 6-of-8 for 59 yards and has shown no effects of the June 12 motorcycle accident that left him with a broken jaw, nose and a concussion, among other injuries.
Roethlisberger was a surprise starter against Minnesota last week because of a right thumb injury, but threw for a touchdown on the Steelers' opening drive while running a version of the no-huddle.
McNabb also ran the no-huddle for the Eagles, leading the offense to 10 points on the first two possessions against Baltimore.
The Steelers lost their first two preseason games and haven't started 0-3 since they were 0-4 in 1987. The record certainly isn't a concern to Cowher.
"I do like the focus and the way they've responded," Cowher said. "You don't hear a lot of reflections back to a year ago, outside of recognizing what it takes to get there. There's been good leadership from that perspective."
The Steelers won't have receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) and cornerback Deshea Townsend (fractured right thumb). Ward hasn't played in the preseason, though he says he'll be ready for the opener.
Running back Brian Westbrook (foot) will miss his third straight game for the Eagles, though he's expected to be ready for the opener. First-round pick Brodrick Bunkley will start for injured defensive tackle Darwin Walker.
