Donovan McNabb looked ready to reclaim his old job. Daunte Culpepper isn’t giving up hope that he can win a new one.

Despite a bulky knee brace protecting his surgically repaired right knee, McNabb had no problems facing a pass rush for the first time in Philadelphia’s practice Wednesday.

The five-time Pro Bowler moved around the pocket well and threw crisp passes to his targets during the Eagles’ first full practice in pads. McNabb even jumped into a receivers drill at one point and ran a route, drawing cheers from a huge crowd gathered at Lehigh University.

“He looks like Donovan,” receiver Reggie Brown said. “He looks good.”

Culpepper couldn’t hold onto Miami’s starting quarterback job last season, but he might get another chance in Oakland.

With No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell holding out, Culpepper could be competing with Andrew Walter and Josh McCown for a chance to be the starter. After he was sacked 21 times in the first four games last season, Culpepper is eager to show he has something left.

McNabb is in no hurry to give up his spot. He was having one of his best statistical seasons before missing the second half of last year after tearing up his knee. He then watched Jeff Garcia lead the Eagles to the playoffs.

“I’m the leader of this team,” McNabb said. “It’s great that everybody kind of assumed a role after I went out, because somebody has to do it. I think in a lot of ways, I handle the leadership role a little different than others.”

Cowboys

Terrell Owens got another day to rest his sore hamstring when he sat out both of the Cowboys’ practices. Coach Wade Phillips said Owens was sore – not injured.

“He doesn’t have a hamstring problem,” Phillips said.

Owens, wearing shades and a team cap, didn’t respond to reporters while walking off the field after the afternoon session. He also refused to comment in the morning when he signed autographs.

Patriots

Randy Moss left practice Wednesday because of an apparent upper-leg injury.

During an 11-on-11 passing drill about halfway through the Patriots’ afternoon session, the only practice of the day, Moss reached into the end zone for a ball thrown by Tom Brady. The pass was incomplete and Moss immediately went to the sideline.

A trainer applied an ice pack and wrap to the wide receiver’s upper left leg, and Moss didn’t return to practice. The ice pack and wrapping were taken off before the team left the field, and Moss walked off under his own power.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a brief discussion with head trainer Jim Whelan and left the field without talking to reporters. No announcement was made about Moss’ condition.

Giants

The Giants won’t renegotiate Michael Strahan’s $4 million contract to persuade the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end to stop mulling retirement and play this season.

“I don’t want to get into negotiating in the media,” co-owner John Mara said as Strahan’s holdout entered its sixth day. “He is under contract, and I think you all know what our position is on that. I don’t want to make any statements on that.”