PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Eagles coach Andy Reid expects Shawn Andrews to be ready for next month’s season opener, even though the All-Pro guard cast doubt on his own future.
Andrews is wearing a walking boot on his injured right ankle, where a plate was surgically inserted after he broke his fibula in Week 1 of the 2004 season. In an odd interview with reporters on Wednesday, Andrews said he wasn’t sure when he could play and that a specialist’s comments made him cry.
Adding to the confusion, Andrews didn’t elaborate because Reid doesn’t allow players to discuss their injuries.
“Well, Shawn’s an emotional guy,” Reid said Thursday. “He wants more than anybody to be out here and playing. He’s frustrated. But the main thing, and really the only thing that I care about right now, is that he’s getting better.”
Asked specifically if he thought Andrews would be playing in Philadelphia’s first game at Green Bay on Sept. 9, Reid said: “I believe he will be. Yes.”
A first-round pick three years ago, Andrews has lived up to his billing. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2005 and made the trip to Hawaii last year, though he didn’t play in the game because of a neck injury.
The 24-year-old Andrews is affable and excitable, which Reid explained could be why he made it seem his injury was potentially career-threatening.
“That’s him being Shawn,” Reid said. “One thing that makes Shawn a good football player, he’s an emotional football player. He showed you a little emotion yesterday, and he wants back out on the field. And he’s just got to weather this thing.”
With Andrews on the sideline, Scott Young is taking most of the snaps at right guard. The Eagles had the same five offensive line starters for each game last season.
Add A Comment