Aikman Expects to Play Despite Headaches

Troy Aikman was still having headaches Thursday, four days after absorbing a helmet-to-helmet blow from Indianapolis cornerback Jeff Burris, but he expects to play Monday night against Minnesota.

“I’d hate to say right now that I definitely would not play or I definitely would play,” the Cowboy quarterback said. “The only comment I can make right now is that I plan on playing. I’ll go out and practice this week and hope the headaches stop.”

An MRI taken earlier this week showed no brain damage, but Aikman said the test detects only major trauma. The best indicators are how long the symptoms last and how strong they are felt.

In Philadelphia, the Eagles have offensive headaches of their own, having failed to score more than 20 points in any game since opening week. Coach Andy Reid has come under fire for sticking with journeyman quarterback Doug Pederson and giving only sporadic playing time to Donovan McNabb, the second pick in this year’s draft.

But Reid said McNabb is gaining valuable seasoning in the Eagles’ West Coast offense while playing behind Pederson, and the coach sees no reason to change the rotation any time soon.