Left guard Todd Herremans will take a first step toward returning to action Wednesday as he joins his teammates back on the practice field.

Herremans has been sidelined since having stress fracture surgery back in August.

"This is a first step," said head coach Andy Reid. "I don't really know how it's going to turn out."

In the locker room, Herremans said he was "stoked" to finally get back on the field.

Reid said the team is taking a conservative approach with Herremans. He will be eased back in with about 15-20 minutes of individual work.

"We'll get him back in the swing of doing (offensive line coach) Juan's (Castillo) drills," Reid said. "We have to be smart with it. This type of injury you don't want to rush back."

Reid offered no specific timetable for Herremans' return to the starting lineup. Nick Cole has been solid starting in place of Herremans.

With the exception of reserve cornerback/special teamer Dimitri Patterson (quad), the head coach said he expected to have all of his players at practice, including wide receiver Kevin Curtis who will "test his knee."

Reid added that Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook came out of Sunday's game "feeling pretty good."

-- Posted by Bob Kent, 11:55 a.m., October 14, 2009