After straining his back on his first day of training camp, Shawn Andrews has yet to practice with the team. But head coach Andy Reid remains optimistic that Andrews will be able to man his new position of right tackle soon enough.
"(Andrews) went back to the specialist in California and had his back checked," Reid said. "It was positive news.
"We'll get him back here and we'll start easing him back into things the best he can."
Reid said that the back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins, indicated that there was no structural damage to the back. The back problem is therefore muscle related, which is good news for Andrews' recovery.
"(Andrews) started doing some work," Reid said, "And (he can) just increase that and do what he can do within the comfort of his back where it's not hurting him."
Andrews is one of four projected starting offensive linemen who won't be playing on Thursday night against the Colts, along with his brother Stacy Andrews, Todd Herremans, and Jason Peters. The latter three are each expected to be ready for the regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers, and there is still indication that the same is expected of Shawn Andrews.
The team's next practice following the Colts game is Saturday morning.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:21 p.m., August 18
