PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid is preparing to open the regular season without injured twotime Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews.
Andrews (Camden Fairview, Arkansas Razorbacks) says not so fast.
"I have no idea when or where," Reid said Saturday when asked if he knew when his starting right tackle would return to practice. "Right now Winston Justice is the guy. That's how I have to look at it."
But Andrews still plans to be on the field when the team opens the season Sept. 13 in Carolina. He has not practiced since reinjuring a back that required surgery last season.
"I think I will," Andrews said. "I know I will. I think there's a great chance of that."
Andrews missed the entire preseason a year ago because of depression. He returned in time to start the regular season opener against St. Louis, but then hurt his back against Dallas the next week.
"There are examples of guys doing that, missing training camp and coming back [to start the regular season]," Reid said. "Walter Jones did it in Seattle a few times and played very well. That was a little different, though, being a contract thing. This is an injury."
Andrews, who returned from seeing his back specialist, Dr.Robert Watkins, in Los Angeles on Thursday, sat out practice again Saturday. He is not expected to play in the team's third preseason game Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will continue to work out and rehab under the watch of trainer Rick Burkholder.
"I got two injections for the pain, and it's feeling better, now," Andrews said. "I think I'm headed in the right direction. But it's still day to day.
"Running and walking and all of that is one thing; taking on a bull rush is another. I just want to be well. I'm in good shape and all. I just need my back to get together. I'm going to push it, now that I feel a little better and see how it holds up. I'm doing everything in my power to get back."COWBOYS Rookie likely out for season
IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Brandon Williams has a torn knee ligament and is likely headed for season-ending surgery.
Coach Wade Phillips said Saturday that Williams "played very well on special teams. We lost an outside linebacker that we were hoping would help us some this year."
A fourth-round pick from Texas Tech, Williams was injured while trying to make a tackle on a punt return in Dallas' 30-10 victory over Tennessee on Friday night. Victor Butler will replace Williams as the primary backup on the strong side.
Steve Octavien also is likely to move up in the rotation.
Also, third-string quarterback Stephen McGee sprained a knee while throwing a latetouchdown pass and might miss about a week. Inside linebacker Justin Rogers aggravated a knee problem and may miss a week as well.
STEELERS Roethlisberger sits
LANDOVER, Md. - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got the night off after injuring his Achilles tendon in practice this week.
The Steelers said Roethlisberger would not play in Saturday night's exhibition game against the Washington Redskins.
Roethlisberger was hurt Thursday when left tackle Max Starks stepped on the quarterback's foot. The injury isn't thought to be serious, and Roethlisberger traveled with the team to Washington.
Charlie Batch was slated to start in Roethlisberger's place.
Sports, Pages 27 on 08/23/2009