Injuries force Eagles to shuffle offensive line again

The Eagles' offensive line has been so badly wrecked by injuries that it may have only two starters from Week 1 lining up Sunday against the Cowboys, and both of them -- Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins -- will be playing different positions.

By Kevin Noonan

Nov 28, 2012 at 5:22 pm ET • 2 min read

In an offensive line shakeup brought on by injuries, Eagles' Evan Mathis has moved from LG to center. (US Presswire)

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, which had already been ravaged by injuries this season, now has a couple more. Left tackle King Dunlap (who replaced injured starter Jason Peters) was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a sprained knee and center Dallas Reynolds (who replaced injured starter Jason Kelce) didn’t practice because of a sprained ankle.

It’s not known yet whether either will be able to play on Sunday night when the Eagles travel to play the Dallas Cowboys.

With Reynolds sidelined, left guard Evan Mathis moved from left guard to center for Wednesday’s practice and Danny Watkins, who started the first six games at right guard until sidelined by chronic ankle problems, lined up at left guard.

And, as if the Eagles needed any more bad news, coach Andy Reid said that Peters won’t be activated and will spend the rest of the season on injured reserve. Peters, who ruptured his Achilles tendon while working out in the offseason, had been on the reserve-non-football related injury list, and Tuesday was the NFL’s deadline for activating him or putting him on IR.

The Eagles have also lost right tackle Todd Herremans (knee), who has been replaced by rookie Dennis Kelly. If Reynolds can’t play against Dallas, the Eagles offensive line would only have two starters that lined up on opening day, and both of them -- Mathis and Watkins -- would be playing different positions.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot of things this season and this is just one more thing,’’ Mathis said. “All you can do is put your head down and go to work and hope for the best.”

If all those changes do come about this week, here’s a look at the Eagles’ projected preseason offensive line and their current one:

Projected LT: Jason Peters; Current LT: Demetress Bell
Projected LG: Evan Mathis; Current LG: Danny Watkins
Projected C: Jason Kelce; Current C: Evan Mathis
Projected RG: Danny Watkins; Current RG: Jake Scott
Projected RT: Todd Herremans; Current RT: Dennis Kelly

“Nobody is going to feel sorry for us because we’ve had a lot of injuries, and we certainly can’t feel sorry for ourselves,’’ Kelly said. “Injuries are a part of this game and we just have to deal with them and move on. That’s been the mindset in this locker room all season and that’s our approach now.”

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSEagles.