Andrews 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."
Games/Starts: 50
Height: 6-4
Weight: 335
Experience: 6th season
But Andrews still plans to be on the field when the team opens the season Sept. 13 against the Carolina Panthers. He hasn't practiced since re-injuring 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 the St. Louis Rams, but then hurt his back against the Dallas Cowboys 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 isn't expected to play in the team's third preseason game Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will continue to work out and rehabilitate under the watch of Eagles 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."
Andrews has played his entire NFL career as a right guard and twice made the Pro Bowl. This season, he was expected to move out to right tackle, a position he hasn't played since his senior year at Arkansas.
"I don't think the move will be a problem," he said. "It felt great being out there for the minicamps and the OTAs. I mean, there's the continuity thing and all that, but football is football."
Andrews was one of five players who didn't practice Saturday. Left guard Todd Herremans (foot), defensive lineman Darren Howard (groin), fullback Leonard Weaver (knee) and linebacker Tracy White (ribs) also sat out the session.
Right guard Stacy Andrews, Shawn's brother, returned to practice, as did left tackle Jason Peters, who has been out with a quad injury. Both could make their Eagles debuts Thursday.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
