Tight end L.J. Smith said said his injured groin was "75 percent" healed. Right guard Shawn Andrews declined to talk percentages regarding his high ankle sprain, saying simply, "I'm excited about where I'm at."

Smith and Andrews' return to the practice field Monday is certainly reason for optimism heading into Sunday's season opener against the Packers, but both players -- who missed the entire preseason and much of training camp -- are taking a wait-and-see approach. The real challenge will come Wednesday and Thursday, when the team practices in pads.

"That's going to be different," said Andrews. "That's going to be a true test for me to kind of give me a gauge of where I am."

For Smith, those practices equal more route running and a better indication of where his injured groin is at.

"It's a big test for me," Smith said. "By the end of the week, we'll see if my body's reacting well to practice. Hopefully it's able to hold up in a game."

The health of Smith and Andrews is the lingering unknown for an offense that quarterback Donovan McNabb believes can be as explosive as in years past. Smith is one of McNabb's go-to receivers, while Andrews is coming off a 2006 season in which he earned Pro Bowl honors.

Andrews has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain since the early stages of training camp. Published reports speculated that the injury was far worse, perhaps even career-threatening; however, head coach Andy Reid maintained his belief that he would have his prized lineman on the field Sept. 9 at Lambeau Field.

"I love his optimism," Andrews said of the coach's vote of confidence. "The big key for me now is to get in the pads and see how I feel."

However, when asked about his playing status for NFL's Kickoff Weekend, Andrews offered a cryptic: "I'm excited about Sunday."

Meanwhile, Smith's biggest concern is his durability.

"The mindframe is there to go out there and play, but am I physically able to hold up? That's the question," he said. "Once you get in that game you can't just turn it off and turn it on; you have to go full speed."

Injuries and the lineup juggling that followed prevented the starters from logging any playing time together during preseason games, contests both Andrews and Smith wish they could have participated in.

"You don't miss it, but at the same time, it kind of helps to give you an idea of where you are," said Andrews.

Up front, a trio that included third-year man Scott Young and second-year players Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole filled in for Andrews. In Smith's absence the offense still managed to get nice production from the tight end position, with rookie Brent Celek leading all receivers with 13 catches for 143 yards. Meanwhile, veteran Matt Schobel has looked more comfortable in his second season in the West Coast offense. Schobel chipped in five receptions for 103 yards.

Still, the return of both players Monday was welcomed by their teammates.

"It's big (to have Andrews back)," said left guard Todd Herremans. "Nick and Scott and Max all came in and did a really good job, but it's Shawn, he's a Pro Bowler. It's good to have him back in high spirits again."

Andrews was all smiles in the locker room after practice.

"It felt good being back on the turf, being with the guys, being back with the ones," he said. "I think I do make a difference, but it's not one man. I'm a missing piece of the puzzle."

Thanks to lengthy sessions on the stationary bike, Andrews says he was able to maintain his fitness level during his time away from the football field, and in fact, lost seven pounds.

Unlike Andrews, Smith was able to get some pre-game work in prior to the Steelers and Jets preseason games. But he noted that there's no substitute for the real thing.

"I'll go out and try to do as much as I can during this week and see how I feel, and then we'll talk to the trainers and coaches and see if I'll make the trip.  we'll see how I feel at the end of the week and if I feel good then I'll be on the plane.

"I feel pretty good now, but a game is a game," he said. "Nothing prepares you for a game but a game and game situation."

It's still early, but both Smith and Andrews hope to be there when the season kicks off for real this weekend.

Head coach Andy Reid will provide an expanded injury update when he meets the media on Wednesday.