PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins is expected to be ready for the start of the season despite suffering a strained right ankle against New England.
Dawkins had an MRI Saturday and did not practice Sunday but expects to play Week 1 against St. Louis.
Asked whether Dawkins would be ready to play in the opener, coach Andy Reid said: "I believe so. It's really a day-to-day situation right now."
"Just from my past experiences with things like this, I didn't feel anything different than what I was thinking that it was just a sprain," said Dawkins, who said the ankle has improved significantly. "It's just one of those things that, when you have an injury after the game, you get a little sore. After that, it starts feeling a lot better."
Also, receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) did not practice and isn't expected to play in the team's preseason finale, Thursday against the Jets.
"He is getting better," said Reid, who expects Brown to play in the season opener.
Reid did not have an update on the status of receiver Kevin Curtis, who remains out indefinitely after undergoing surgery last Thursday to repair a sports hernia.
"I can't give you an actual date on return," Reid said. "I just have to see how it goes here over the next couple of weeks, and I'll have a better feel for it."
Starting center Jamaal Jackson also did not practice Sunday because of a concussion suffered Friday against New England.
Defensive end Chris Clemons, who had been out with a calf injury, returned to practice Sunday.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
