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**RoyWilliams** · 08-16-2007, 12:35 PM

Bad day on Birds' casualty front | Inquirer | 08/16/2007

Quote:

Eagles coach Andy Reid addressed an assortment of injuries in a statement released by the team before practice yesterday.

Some of the news was awful: Defensive end Jerome McDougle's season was apparently over before it started for the second time in his star-crossed, five-year NFL career. Reid said McDougle "suffered a significant right-triceps injury and looks like he's out for the year."

Some of the news was expected: Reid reiterated that running back Ryan Moats fractured his left ankle in Monday night's preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and said that "surgery on that ankle is pending."

Some of the news was confusing: Reid said guard Shawn Andrews was making progress in his recovery from what the team had described as a sprained right ankle. "He will not play this week," Reid said. "We'll see how he does next week."

The confusing part about Andrews was what the giant guard said after traveling the length of the NovaCare Complex locker room with a walking boot attached to his right leg, which he had surgically repaired during his rookie season.

"I don't know what to think right now," Andrews said when asked if he'd be ready for the Sept. 9 season opener in Green Bay. "I'm just rehabbing, trying to rest it, stay off it, keep my weight down, stay focused, and try to get better."

That answer made it seem as if Andrews had doubts about lining up at right guard against the Packers. And his next answer wasn't all that encouraging, either.

"It's tough," he said. "When I was talking to a specialist, and what he said to me, it was a tearjerker. It's kind of tough because it's something I love to do, and I can't be out there to sweat and grind with my teammates right now, and I don't know what the future holds. But I'll be OK either way."

Andrews said he could not reveal what the specialist told him for fear of being reprimanded by Reid, who forbids his players to speak about the specifics of injuries.

"I just know they say, 'If you cut a man, in time his wounds will heal,' " Andrews said. "When that time will be, no one knows. It's out of the doctor's hands right now, and for right now it's out of my hands."

Andrews, who suffered a broken right fibula in the Eagles' season opener against the New York Giants in 2004, has not practiced since Aug. 4, when he injured the same leg that cost him most of his rookie year.

"It was the last play" of practice, Andrews said. "I was in pass protection, and I felt a little something and I was very concerned. That's when I went to the trainer to check it out, and here I am in the boot."

Andrews was fitted for the boot after seeing an ankle specialist on Aug. 8. He was replaced in the starting lineup Monday night by Scott Young, who also filled in when Andrews suffered a severe neck bruise in the first half of the Eagles' playoff loss in New Orleans last season.

Despite Andrews' vagueness and obvious concern about his status, a team source said yesterday that he expected the Pro Bowl guard to be ready for the season opener. The same source said he believed that tight end L.J. Smith, safety Brian Dawkins, and cornerback Lito Sheppard would be in the starting lineup on opening day.

**ball in the baskett** · 08-16-2007, 02:01 PM

loosing mcdougle wont be a giant hit we have alot of depth at DE kearse cole howard jaqua so we will be fine there but andrews i hope is ok

**Serrated Shadow** · 08-16-2007, 04:59 PM

losing some depth still isn't good though..you're right however it's good that the Iggles have a lot of it..

**Professor** · 08-16-2007, 05:29 PM

McDougle was in danger of being cut anyway, IMO, this just gives the EAGLES to either cut him or put him on the IR and see what he can do next year. With Reagor and everyone else, McDougle was not a factor in my mind.

**Manster** · 08-16-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorellisdtrails

McDougle was in danger of being cut anyway, IMO, this just gives the EAGLES to either cut him or put him on the IR and see what he can do next year. With Reagor and everyone else, McDougle was not a factor in my mind.

One way or another he will end up on the eagles IR, even if they cut him. He was not going to make the team this year and was more than likely was on the trade blocks.

**ball in the baskett** · 08-16-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorellisdtrails

McDougle was in danger of being cut anyway, IMO, this just gives the EAGLES to either cut him or put him on the IR and see what he can do next year. With Reagor and everyone else, McDougle was not a factor in my mind.

which running back do you think will be cut between moats and illoa i think one of them will be cut