  The proton structure function $F_2^p(x,Q^2)$ is described in the framework of
the off-shell extention of the Regge-eikonal approach which automatically takes
into account off-shell unitarity. We achieved a good quality of description for
$x<10^{-2}$ and we argue that the data on $F_2^p(x,Q^2)$ measured at HERA can
be fairly described with classical universal Regge trajectories. No extra,
``hard'' trajectories of high intercept are needed for that. The $x-, Q^2-$
slopes and the effective intercept are discussed as functions of $Q^2$ and $x$.
