TAMPA -- Donovan McNabb will play only a little, so Koy Detmer is ready and waiting. Hugh Douglas will see minimal action, giving N.D. Kalu and Derrick Burgess extra reps.
Sunday night's game against Tampa Bay means some prime-time exposure for the reserves. Here's a look, position by position, at some of the Eagles you'll see in the final regular season game.
Quarterback
With McNabb expected to play a quarter, at most, Detmer will see his most extended time in two seasons. He's likely to play the second and third periods, with A.J. Feeley taking the reins in the fourth quarter.
Halfback
Duce Staley may play, but only a bit. There's no sense banging him around. A rest would get him fresh for the playoffs.
Correll Buckhalter will probably get a lot of carries and work, but don't expect the Eagles to work him too much. He'll see a lot of time in the postseason.
So who plays halfback? How about Rod Smart, the former He Hate Me from the XFL days. Smart has paid his dues this season and he'll have an opportunity step it up on Sunday night.
Fullback
Cecil Martin and Jamie Reader will split time here. Given the 53-man roster, there are just very few options.
Offensive Line
Get ready for a lineup that could, at some point in the game, include the likes of Jim Pyne at center, Bobbie Williams and Doug Brzezinski at guards and Ryan Schau at tackle. The shame here is that the roster limit will force the Eagles to play one of their tackles -- at least that's the way it looks here -- more than they really want. A week off would be great for both Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.
Receiver
Will Gari Scott play? Good question. For sure, James Thrash is going to take a break. He's still working through that high ankle sprain. Todd Pinkston's time will likely be limited. Freddie Mitchell will play quite a bit, along with Na Brown and Dameane Douglas.
Tight End
Don't expect to see Chad Lewis at all. Instead, Jeff Thomason and Tony Stewart and even Mike Bartrum will line up at tight end.
Defensive Line
There's no Hollis Thomas. Paul Grasmanis is healthy enough to play, but he could use another week to get back to 100 percent after his knee injury. Brandon Whiting was limping around at the end of last week's game, as was Corey Simon. Hugh Douglas is all beat up.
So Kalu and Burgess and Uhuru Hamiter and Darwin Walker, they'll play a lot. Expect to see that lineup through much of the second half.
Linebacker
You could very easily see a lineup of Barry Gardner in the middle, with Ike Reese on the strong side and Quinton Caver at the weak side linebacker position. How much does Reese know about lining up over the tight end? We'll find out.
Mike Caldwell, Jeremiah Trotter and Carlos Emmons are too valuable to play much.
Cornerback
If you need to see Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, watch early. The rest of the game they'll be on the sidelines. The Eagles have an opportunity to take a look at William Hampton and Darrel Crutchfield, and they'll do it. Al Harris will probably have to play some, too.
Safety
Tim Hauck needs some time, right? He'll get it Sunday night. Same with Rashard Cook. No need here to expose Brian Dawkins and Damon Moore.
Kickers
It could be interesting if Sean Landeta rests. That would mean David Akers would perform as the punter and kicker. The kicking game would be a lot of fun. Does Brian Mitchell return kickoffs and punts? Why not go with Douglas and Scott? They need the work.
Sunday night's game against Tampa Bay means some prime-time exposure for the reserves. Here's a look, position by position, at some of the Eagles you'll see in the final regular season game.
Quarterback
With McNabb expected to play a quarter, at most, Detmer will see his most extended time in two seasons. He's likely to play the second and third periods, with A.J. Feeley taking the reins in the fourth quarter.
Halfback
Duce Staley may play, but only a bit. There's no sense banging him around. A rest would get him fresh for the playoffs.
Correll Buckhalter will probably get a lot of carries and work, but don't expect the Eagles to work him too much. He'll see a lot of time in the postseason.
So who plays halfback? How about Rod Smart, the former He Hate Me from the XFL days. Smart has paid his dues this season and he'll have an opportunity step it up on Sunday night.
Fullback
Cecil Martin and Jamie Reader will split time here. Given the 53-man roster, there are just very few options.
Offensive Line
Get ready for a lineup that could, at some point in the game, include the likes of Jim Pyne at center, Bobbie Williams and Doug Brzezinski at guards and Ryan Schau at tackle. The shame here is that the roster limit will force the Eagles to play one of their tackles -- at least that's the way it looks here -- more than they really want. A week off would be great for both Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.
Receiver
Will Gari Scott play? Good question. For sure, James Thrash is going to take a break. He's still working through that high ankle sprain. Todd Pinkston's time will likely be limited. Freddie Mitchell will play quite a bit, along with Na Brown and Dameane Douglas.
Tight End
Don't expect to see Chad Lewis at all. Instead, Jeff Thomason and Tony Stewart and even Mike Bartrum will line up at tight end.
Defensive Line
There's no Hollis Thomas. Paul Grasmanis is healthy enough to play, but he could use another week to get back to 100 percent after his knee injury. Brandon Whiting was limping around at the end of last week's game, as was Corey Simon. Hugh Douglas is all beat up.
So Kalu and Burgess and Uhuru Hamiter and Darwin Walker, they'll play a lot. Expect to see that lineup through much of the second half.
Linebacker
You could very easily see a lineup of Barry Gardner in the middle, with Ike Reese on the strong side and Quinton Caver at the weak side linebacker position. How much does Reese know about lining up over the tight end? We'll find out.
Mike Caldwell, Jeremiah Trotter and Carlos Emmons are too valuable to play much.
Cornerback
If you need to see Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, watch early. The rest of the game they'll be on the sidelines. The Eagles have an opportunity to take a look at William Hampton and Darrel Crutchfield, and they'll do it. Al Harris will probably have to play some, too.
Safety
Tim Hauck needs some time, right? He'll get it Sunday night. Same with Rashard Cook. No need here to expose Brian Dawkins and Damon Moore.
Kickers
It could be interesting if Sean Landeta rests. That would mean David Akers would perform as the punter and kicker. The kicking game would be a lot of fun. Does Brian Mitchell return kickoffs and punts? Why not go with Douglas and Scott? They need the work.
