All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook will miss his second game in three weeks when the Eagles visit the 49ers on Sunday. Westbrook broke two ribs in the Eagles’ loss to the Redskins last Sunday.

Good ol’ Gus. Even opposing coaches call him that these days.

ALLEN PARK — Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto is old school. He has made a living teaching linemen to run block and be tougher than their opponent. He ushered in the run-first, pound-the-rock philosophy that so far has failed this season.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna missed practice for the third straight day Friday due to back spasms, dimming the chances he will start Sunday’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lions fans have been calling for quarterback Jon Kitna to be replaced. They might get their wish Sunday at Minnesota, though the Lions say it is because of an injury, not a benching.

Kitna did not play in the second half of Sunday’s 34-7 loss to Chicago. He said after the game he had back spasms in the first quarter, his back seized up at halftime and he was unable to continue. He did not practice again on Thursday after going for an MRI exam on his back Wednesday.

So backup Dan Orlovsky split reps in practice with third QB Drew Stanton. Here’s the problem, though: Both are inexperienced, and both have injury issues of their own.

Orlovsky suffered knee and ankle injuries after relieving Kitna on Sunday.

LaDainian Tomlinson is weary, sore and doesn’t seem to have any answers. Fans of the Chargers seem pretty beat up, too, although they’ve got some really strong opinions about what’s wrong with their team. Five games into what is supposed to be a Super Bowl season, the Chargers are bewildering. They’re 2-3 and need to win Sunday night against the Patriots, to avoid being in a real mess.

It took three years and a series of delayed hearings before arbitrator Shyam Das finally ruled in the Lions’ favor in their 2005 grievance against former first-rounder Charles Rogers. But that was the easy part.

DENVER — Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry was released from jail after posting a $400,000 bond on federal drug charges.

The Detroit Lions signed fullback Moran Norris and cut running back Marcus Thomas on Thursday. The Lions also added defensive back Chris Roberson to the practice squad after losing wide receiver Kenneth Moore, who was signed by the Carolina Panthers. Norris, a two-year starter, was waived by the San Francisco 49ers during training camp.

Lions starting QB missed second half against Bears because of back spasms.