One of the fun back-and-forth debates when it comes to NFL training camp involves the physicality of practices. Some teams can manage success without running hard-hitting workouts in the late summer, while other coaches swear by physical practices as the best way to prepare for a long regular season.Philadelphia head man Andy Reid is one of those. He runs a physical training camp, and sometimes his team has to deal with injuries during it. This is one of those years, as numerous players have gone down in the first week-plus of workouts.
It seems to have been a particularly tough year so far for the Eagles. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson is banged up, and tight end Cornelius Ingram is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Three offensive linemen -- Jason Peters, Shawn Andrews, and Stacy Andrews -- have been battling injuries. Things there have gotten to the point where the team is considering bringing back veteran tackle Jon Runyan.
Both FanHouse's Dan Graziano and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer cast serious doubt on the chance that Shawn Andrews will be able to play in the Eagles' regular-season opener Sept. 13 at Carolina. He's been dealing with back problems. Graziano notes that Shawn hasn't practiced since minicamp.
Runyan, who is trying to come back from microfracture surgery on his right knee, is looking for medical clearance before he starts running again. If all goes well, he might not be far away from actively seeking a team for the 2009 season.
Meanwhile, the defense is still recovering from the loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley for the 2009 season.
Reid says he's not worried about this run of injuries. However, Football Outsiders has noted that the Eagles were incredibly lucky in that department (especially with their defensive players) last year, and it was unlikely they'd continue that streak for another season. Those things just don't tend to repeat.
Since Philadelphia isn't a terribly deep team at a lot of positions, any continuance of this bad streak could be damaging to the team's 2009 hopes.
UPDATE: Eagles backup quarterback Kevin Kolb was carted off the practice field Monday. He has a left knee sprain, with an MRI to come to determine exactly what is wrong.
