It's fashionable to downgrade the value of preseason games, and, on the whole, I'm in agreement. But that's assuming the pieces you expected to have are working and developing chemistry together on a daily basis through training camp and practice.
Of the players Reid listed as not traveling, four - Todd Herremans, Jason Peters, Shawn Andrews and Stacy Andrews - are projected starters on the offensive line the Eagles spent the offseason proudly revamping.
This nightmare scenario shows no indication of ending before the season opener, at the earliest.
Except for the first practice, after which Shawn Andrews' back tightened up, the complete offensive line, which also includes center Jamaal Jackson, has not been on the field together, much less taken a snap.
Shawn Andrews, who just returned from California after finding out from the doctor who performed his surgery that there is no structural damage to his injured back, hasn't come close to practicing.
And with the Eagles having no idea when or whether Andrews will be ready to go and already knowing that Herremans likely won't be available until just before the opener, this unit - if it is actually intact then - will begin the season probably not having played together.
Think about that.
An offensive line that includes two players (Peters and Stacy Andrews) new to the Birds and another (Shawn Andrews) switching from guard to right tackle, will not have one practice together before starting the season.
"The offensive line is the primary one," Reid said when asked about the rash of injuries affecting the continuity. "That's the spot that I've said before I want to have an opportunity to play together.
"To sit here and tell you that I wish they were playing together, the five offensive linemen, yeah, I do. I wish they were all in there working and getting better. These are the cards we've been dealt."
