Feb 18, 2007 3 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Donovan McNabb is throwing his support behind Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and backup quarterback Jeff Garcia. McNabb, rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee, said he hopes everything turns out well for Reid, who is taking a one-month leave of absence to deal with his sons’ legal problems.

“We all support him,” McNabb said Saturday in his first comments about Reid’s family problems. “I just continue to pray for him that everything will turn out for the best.”

Reid’s sons Garrett, 23, and Britt, 21, are facing separate legal issues.

McNabb said it has been a while since he has spoken to Reid, but that he has sent text messages and left phone messages.

McNabb spoke Saturday at a charity event that had been postponed from December after he injured his knee in a game against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 19.

While McNabb is still hopeful of beginning next season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback, he said he’d be content to let Garcia start if he’s not ready to play. That is, if the Eagles re-sign the unrestricted free agent.

The 36-year-old Garcia led the Eagles to five straight victories, the NFC East title and a wild-card playoff victory over the New York Giants when forced into a starting role in McNabb’s absence.

“I’m a big supporter of Jeff, and I’ve always said that,” McNabb said. “I’m all for Jeff to be back, first and foremost. He’s a great guy, a great player and he does great things for this team.

“I won’t have a problem with Jeff being out there if I’m not able to go.”

McNabb grimaced as he stepped off a podium, but said his rehab from a a torn anterior cruciate ligament is going well. He said he has been running in a pool and even a bit on land, but is walking with a slight limp.

“We’ve been rehabbing every day and just making strides,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to say if I’m ahead of schedule or right on schedule because we’re still at that beginning stage.

“The knee is getting stronger.”

McNabb was among the league leaders in yards passing (2,647) and touchdown passes (18) before his injury. The Eagles were 5-5 with McNabb and 6-2 with Garcia, including the two playoff games.

Garcia threw for 1,309 yards, 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions in the regular season.

“If I’m not ready to go, I’m not going to go out there and put myself or my team in a position where things won’t work well for us,” said McNabb, who has led the Eagles to four NFC championship games and a Super Bowl loss during his eight seasons.