Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Big Kid '73' shutdown; Runyan on deck?

The Eagles placed offensive linemen Shawn Andrews on injured reserve, ending his season.


This one has the sound of finality for Andy Reid rarely if ever wishes a player well, as he did in his statement without parting ways.


“It’s disappointing to lose any player for the entire season but we have full confidence in the other lineman we have on this roster to help this team succeed," Reid said. "We wish Shawn all the best as he recovers and rehabilitates from this injury.”


For now, Winston Justice is the right offensive tackle although Jon Runyan, the former Eagle, is just a phone call and a drive over the Walt Whitman Bridge away. While Runyan could not immediately be reached for comment, NFL sources would be surprised if he doesn’t join the team. He’s coming back from micro fracture surgery.


That said the Eagles were happy with the work of Winston Justice at right tackle in the season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers.


With the Eagles nearing the 2009 starting line, Andrews was becoming a cult figure on YouTube, where as Big Kid 73 he produced and appeared in video clips including “Get your Michael Phelps on.” He wasn’t so prolific at his day job.


Andrews missed all but one morning of training camp and the entire preseason with lower back pain. The Eagles lost patience with his comeback when he had a setback in practice last Wednesday and was unable to practice Thursday. Runyan was brought in for a workout Thursday.


Andrews missed all but two games of the 2008 season with a herniated disc in his lower back. After corrective surgery, he was kept on the roster the rest of the season but didn’t appear in a game.


Andrews appeared to be healthy participating in the 2009 minicamps and organized team activities. But the back stiffened running gassers on the first day of training camp at Lehigh University. A recent trip to Los Angeles for a checkup and injections provided only short-term hope as Andrews practiced for barely a couple of weeks.


Determined to move on and needing the roster space for quarterback Jeff Garcia, who was added Monday night, the Eagles showed Andrews the IR list.

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