Friday's practice could ultimately determine the fate of Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

For a second straight day, all three players did not participate in practice.

McNabb has not played since fracturing a rib Sept. 13 at Carolina. Westbrook and Jackson have not played since last Sunday when they suffered ankle and groin injuries, respectively.

McNabb was listed as doubtful on last Friday's injury report and could be headed for a similar designation this week.

Westbrook, meanwhile, is no stranger to the injury report. Westbrook has played in games -- and played well -- without the benefit of practice. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Thursday that he is "getting better."

As for Jackson, he practiced with the injury last week and went on to catch four balls for 101 yards, including a career-long 71-yard touchdown. He also ran for 15 yards and fielded a pair of punts.

Special teams coordinator Ted Daisher said rookie Jeremy Maclin would step in as the punt returner if Jackson was unable to handle those duties against Kansas City.

Elsewhere on the injury front, guard Todd Herremans (foot) and cornerback Dimitri Patterson (hand) have been ruled out. Nick Cole will start for Herremans at left guard. Meanwhile, safety Quintin Demps is expected to replace Patterson on special teams this week. Demps has been limited in practice this week with a hamstring injury which sidelined him for the Saints game.

Receiver Kevin Curtis was also limited for a second straight day due to a lingering knee injury.

Mornhinweg acknowledged that the injury is affecting the receiver's production.

"I don't think there is any question that it's impacting him now," Mornhinweg said. "However, you can still play at a high level when you're banged up a little bit, and that's what he's trying to do. He's a tough guy. [He] doesn't say much about it."

For the Chiefs, inside linebacker Derrick Johnson has ruled himself out for the game, according to kcchiefs.com. Johnson was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

"No, I don't think so," Johnson said when asked if he would play this week. "(I did it) in the game during the last drive. It was some kind of fluke deal that happened during the game and it's just kind of gotten tight. I strained it.

"I haven't had this injury before. It's been tight, but it's just kind of nagging on me. It's not really a bad strain, I would say."

-- Posted by Bob Kent, 5:37 p.m., September 24