There's a better than an insignificant chance that Shawn Andrews is screwing with us.But if he isn't, the Eagles' All-Pro offensive guard may be facing an injury more complex and troubling than the right ankle sprain that has been disclosed."When I was talking to a specialist, what he said to me was a tear jerker,"Andrews said. "It's kind of tough because (football) is something I love to do, and I can't really be out there to sweat and grunt with my teammates right now."I don't know what the future holds but I'll be OK either way."The 6-4, 335-pound Andrews stood in front of his locker at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday afternoon with a walking boot on his right leg, cryptically addressing the progress of his rehabilitation from the injury that occurred back at training camp at Lehigh University Aug. 4.He said he hurt the ankle -- the same one that was surgically repaired back in 2004 -- on pass protection on the last play of practice that day. A few days later, he went back to Philadelphia to see a specialist.Asked what could possibly bring him to tears, Andrews replied,"It depends. We all have feelings."However, when the doctor said what he said to me, about the window, and different things, different situations, it was a tear jerker," he went on."However, pain is weakness leaving the body. Pain is not the issue. It's just beyond me."What does "the window" mean? In fact, what does any of it mean?"I can't really say," Andrews said. "Coach (Andy) Reid would probably spank me if I said that. So I'll leave that alone."Spanking aside, Reid's own Wednesday morning injury report stated that Andrews was, "making progress on his ankle. He will not play (on Friday night against Carolina). We'll see how he does next week."Reid has previously reported relatively good news on Andrews' condition, calling it a sprain."That's what I've kind of been informed too," Andrews said. "But it's kind of hard. I wish I could tell you guys, I really do. I care about each and every one of you guys."Again, I haven't had a whupping in a long time, but Coach Reid is a massive man, so he could really hurt me."Andrews' comments notwithstanding, there is genuine cause for concern.He broke his right ankle on the first play of his rookie season in 2004, and if this latest injury turns out to be a complication of the break, Andrews' "window" could refer to a potentially career-shortening chronic condition."Sometimes things happen," he said. "You put a 300-pound-plus body on a leg that's been fixed, that's been broken, you're bound to have problems, especially as hard as I've been working this offseason."Scott Young started for Andrews at guard against Baltimore. If Andrews' absence stretches into the season, he'd likely be replaced by either Young or second-year guard Max Jean-Gilles.Should Andrews' concern turn out to be mere playful media-jousting, however, the timing would be questionable at best.The Eagles suffered a resounding 29-3 defeat in their preseason opener at Baltimore on Monday, a night that ended running back Ryan Moats' season with a broken ankle.The team's injury story turned even darker Wednesday, as defensive end Jerome McDougle and offensive lineman Stefan Rodgers both learned they would undergo season-ending surgery, McDougle for a torn triceps muscle and Rodgers for a lis franc sprain in his right foot.Realistically, Moats, McDougle and Rodgers were all going to have a hard time making the Eagles' final active roster, so the health of the All-Pro Andrews' ankle is certainly newsworthy.But as Andrews spoke, it became less and less clear what that news might be."All I can say is 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. For right now, it's out of my hands," he continued. "I just have to rehab, and keep praying and keep grinding. See what my future holds."We'll see. Just pray for me, guys. If you care about me."
seasons over
damn, that sucks if its true. hasnt he been hurt every year in the league so far (like 2 or 3)?
