The Philadelphia Eagles today announced that RB Brian Westbrook is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday, June 5, in Baltimore, MD. The surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Mark Meyerson, is a debridement of his right ankle.
ESPN article continues below:
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will have surgery to clean up some bone spurs in his right ankle, according to his agent, Todd France.
France had no timetable for Westbrook's return but characterized the procedure as minor. Another source, however, said the surgery could sideline Westbrook well into training camp. Eagles veterans report to training camp on July 29.
The All-Pro running back also had surgery on his left knee three months ago.
"We talked about it when he was at the doctor's office and went through the options and decided it was better to clean it up," France told ESPN. "The ankle has been bothering him since last year."
The Eagles sent Westbrook to Baltimore on Wednesday to see Dr. Mark Myerson, the ankle specialist who treated Terrell Owens five years ago.
According to sources, Myerson recommended several options, including surgery and playing through the pain with a series of cortisone shots. France said that if this were the regular season, Westbrook would probably not have surgery.
Westbrook aggravated a previous sprain in his right ankle while working out in the past few weeks, a team source said. It is the same ankle that Westbrook injured last year and bothered him throughout the 2008 season.
"It has nothing to do with the high ankle sprain," France said. "It's just some bone spurs."
Westbrook, who will turn 30 in September, had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee in February.
Sal Paolantonio is ESPN's bureau reporter based in Philadelphia. John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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