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Eagles lose Andrews again, work out Runyan
By Jeff McLane
Inquirer Staff Writer
Which came first: the Eagles' bringing former right tackle Jon Runyan in for a workout yesterday or current right tackle Shawn Andrews reinjuring his back?
Whatever the case may be, the Eagles have themselves a situation on the offensive line with their season opener at Carolina just two days away.
Andrews, who missed all of training camp and all four preseason games, sat out his first practice in 12 days with a sore back. The former two-time Pro Bowl guard, who made the switch to tackle in the spring, watched the first part of practice yesterday equipment-less and in shorts. After about 30 minutes, he walked gingerly off the field.
A league source said that the Eagles still believe Andrews will play Sunday, although they are not absolutely positive.
Just a few hours earlier, the Eagles worked out Runyan, who is attempting to come back from major knee surgery. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Juan Castillo, among others, ran the 35-year-old through a series of exercises and drills.
Runyan did not return messages yesterday.
The Eagles aren't likely to sign Runyan this week. As a vested veteran, the 13-year pro would be guaranteed his entire base salary if he signed before the season opener. He worked out for Kansas City earlier this week and is reportedly scheduled to visit Buffalo next week.
A team spokesman said Reid and the team were gauging Runyan's status and progress in rehabilitation, but those comments came before it was apparent that Andrews was hurt again.
After practice, a barricade of reporters stood just outside the main entrance to the team's indoor facility. Reid, however, uncharacteristically took a roundabout route off the practice field while walking with Brian Westbrook. Approximately 10 minutes later, after the communications department cleared the hallway that leads to the staircase and up to Reid's office, the coach walked briskly through the lobby and out of view.
A team source said that Reid was upset about the latest turn in what has been a turbulent preseason.
Andrews, meanwhile, left the NovCare Complex about 6 p.m. Asked how he felt, the 26-year-old said, "I don't know, I'm just feeling." Andrews said that he couldn't predict if he would play Sunday. He had no comment about the Eagles' bringing Runyan in for a look-see.
Ben Dogra, Runyan's agent, said no contract talks had been held yet with the Eagles.
If Andrews can't play and the Eagles don't sign Runyan, Winston Justice will start. The four-year pro ran with the first team yesterday and started at right tackle in all four preseason games. Justice, who wasn't aware of Runyan's appearance before practice, said he hadn't been told yet if he was starting.
"I'm just a worker here," he said. "I'm just getting ready to play."
The Eagles' offensive line has been besieged with injuries. Left guard Todd Herremans recently had surgery to correct a stress facture in his foot and will miss at least the first two games. Left tackle Jason Peters was slowed with a recurring thigh strain through most of training camp. And right guard Stacy Andrews was gradually eased into a full return after off-season reconstructive knee surgery.
Shawn Andrews' back woes have been most troubling because it's difficult to diagnose the extent of such an injury. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound tackle first injured his back in the second game of last season after he missed most of the training camp while dealing with depression-related issues. He missed the rest of the season and had surgery in October to correct a herniated disk.
He participated in all of minicamp, but reinjured his back during a conditioning run on the first day of training camp. He was out for the next three weeks. But after he visited a specialist in California and was cleared of any structural damage, Andrews had a turnaround. As of Monday, Andrews said that he felt no pain in his back.
"As of right now, I don't want to give a percentage, but there's nothing," he said Monday after a closed practice. "I'm just pretty physically sound right now and ready to take this thing on."
The players had Tuesday off and resumed their preparation for the Panthers on Wednesday. Before another closed session, Reid gave a positive spin on Andrews' condition.
"He seems to feel all right," Reid said Wednesday. "That was the important thing, and making sure his back was stable and that he was confident. That's how he feels right now."
Runyan spent nine seasons in Philadelphia and never missed a game. He has started in 192 straight regular-season games, the longest active streak among offensive linemen.
The Eagles opted not to re-sign him last off-season. Runyan underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee shortly thereafter and wasn't cleared by surgeon James Andrews to resume running until last month.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090911_Eagles_lose_Andrews_again__work_out_Runyan.html
