Quarterback Mark Brunell was listed as "day to day" with a sprained knee ligament on Monday, but team officials were optimistic that they will have Brunell's services for this week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Redskins will update Brunell's status on Wednesday, when the team is required to submit an official injury report to the league.

Asked about Brunell's injury, head coach Joe Gibbs said: "There was very little swelling--and not much [on Monday]. We were real encouraged by it.

"We'll see how Mark progresses toward the end of the week."

Brunell had an MRI on the knee on Monday and it revealed no further damage beyond the sprain. He suffered the injury in the second half of last Saturday's 35-20 win over the New York Giants.

If Brunell is unable to play against the Eagles, backup Patrick Ramsey would likely step in as his replacement. Ramsey, who has started 24 games in his NFC career, finished out the Giants win by completing Brunell 5-of-7 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown.

Players expressed confidence in Ramsey should the fourth-year quarterback get the call on Sunday in Philadelphia.

"[Quarterback position is] an easy thing to deal with," running back Clinton Portis said. "We've played with Pat, we know Pat, and he can get the job done. He takes plenty of reps in practice. With Pat back there, we're still going to go out there and execute our game plan. It'll be the same thing. We won't change anything."

Added left tackle Chris Samuels: "Once Patrick got settled down and got everybody else settled down, he played outstanding. I wasn't surprised. Patrick has been preparing hard all year--preparing himself mentally and physically. He got the opportunity and stepped in big for us."

It's expected that Brunell will be limited in practice this week, but he still could get work in during morning walk-through sessions, Gibbs said.