Head coach Andy Reid will be watching the safety position very closely on Thursday night against the Jets, he said. Sean Jones will start at strong safety and Quintin Demps will start in free safety, with Macho Harris getting playing time at free safety as well.

"I'll be keeping a close eye on the safety position," Reid said. "We have an open competition there.

"There are really three guys battling for that spot, and I know all three guys can play."

Reid also set the quarterback rotation during his press conference. Kevin Kolb will start the game and play most of the first half under center. Michael Vick and A.J. Feeley will play quarterback in the second half.

At middle linebacker, Joe Mays will start the game, and Omar Gaither will not play.

The starting offensive line Thursday night will be, from left to right, King Dunlap, Mike Gibson, Mike McGlynn, Paul Fanaika, and Winston Justice.

Two players did not practice today, tight end Rob Myers and wide receiver Kevin Curtis.

Wide receiver is another position of interest, with seven or eight players fighting for five or six spots.

"One thing I told (the players) when training camp started is, 'Make our decision as tough as possible,'" Reid said. "And they've done that. We have some kids who can play; there will be some tough decisions there."

As the deadline for the cutdown to the 53-man roster looms, Reid and the personnel department have a lot to analyze following Thursday's game.

"I'm excited to see some of these young guys get in there and compete this week against the Jets," he said.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 1:20 p.m., September 1