IN A STATEMENT released yesterday evening, Dr. Robert Watkins said he had completed a "two-level microscopic lumbar discectomy" on Eagles right tackle Shawn Andrews.
"The prognosis is very good that he will return to play," Watkins said in the statement released by the Eagles.
Earlier, Andrews tweeted that he was having surgery, and that he was dedicating it to coach Andy Reid, because of Reid's support for Andrews, who hasn't played since Game 2 of 2008 due to a back injury.
It isn't clear how this surgery might be different from what Andrews had last year, or why he apparently developed two herniated disks after rehabbing from the original surgery and returning to the field last spring. Andrews started to have more problems when training camp began, got back to where he thought he was OK, then relapsed just before the regular season started. He has been in California, under Watkins' care, since mid-September, when he was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Brian Westbrook worked out yesterday with no immediate ill effects, Andy Reid told a pool reporter. It's unclear whether Westbrook will be able to play again this season, after suffering two concussions.
Reid said there was no change in the situation of wideout DeSean Jackson, who suffered a concussion against the Redskins last Sunday. Jackson again did not practice, but still has not been ruled out for this week's game in Atlanta. It wouldn't be a surprise if Reid officially ruled Jackson out today, when the Eagles must classify injured players as probable, questionable, doubtful or out for Sunday's games.
Earlier this week, when the Eagles locked up Brent Celek with a 6-year extension, the team touted how it has 22 players on its current roster signed through 2012 and beyond. Apparently, the Winston Justice and Celek deals pretty much used up all the remaining cap money the Birds have available for that sort of thing this season.
One guy they haven't locked up, though, is plucky wideout Jason Avant, last Sunday's hero and a favorite of teammates and coaches. There have been some preliminary talks, but nothing concrete for the fourth-year wideout, in the final season of his rookie deal.
