While nothing has been made official, all indications are that quarterback Kevin Kolb will start his fifth game of the 2010 season Sunday against the Cowboys. Kolb hasn't thrown a pass for the Eagles since a Week 7 loss to Tennessee, and is anxious to get back out on the field.

Kolb took the reps in practice with the first-team offense this week.

"It felt good," Kolb said on Friday. "The more reps you take the more comfortable you feel, especially for a guy like me who hasn't played in a while. Now it's just getting out on the field and putting it into production."

While it seems like an eternity ago, Kevin Kolb was once the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. And Kolb will be the first to admit that it's been a "strange" season for him on a personal level. But he's never let that take away from his preparation or his enthusiasm towards the team.

That's just not who Kevin Kolb is.

"It's been a great year for the team. And I've had a lot of fun as well," Kolb said. "I think people understand how tough it's been on me, but they don't realize how much fun I'm having with this team and with Mike (Vick).

There's no question the Eagles would have benefited from securing the second seed in the NFC playoffs. But as it turned out, the opportunity for Kolb to get a game's worth of reps before the playoffs begin may ultimately prove more valuable.

While no one is tougher than Michael Vick, his style of play leaves open the possibility of injury. Kolb, who hasn't taken a meaningful snap in over two months, will be much sharper having played Sunday if his number is called in the playoffs.

"I'm obviously very excited to get back on the field but also to make sure that I'm totally prepared if something does happen (to Vick)," Kolb said. "That was the first thing that clicked in my head. Mike takes some shots, and everything is ramped up in the playoffs the further and further you go. I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible for my team."

-- Posted by Josh Goldman, 4:21 p.m., December 31