Cornerback Lito Sheppard put the pads on and returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since spraining his knee crashing into teammate Sean Considine during the season opener at Green Bay.

Tight end L.J. Smith and RB Brian Westbrook also practiced, Westbrook with considerable padding protecting the strained abdominal area.

The not so good news was LOT Tra Thomas (knee), FS Brian Dawkins (neck) and LG Todd Herremans (knee) all sat out practice. Andy Reid hoped to get Thomas back on the field.

Also WR Greg Lewis exited from practice with a sprained right ankle.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb, his left wrist bandaged, showed no signs of the sprain he suffered two Sundays ago at the Meadowlands.