Eagletarian

Runyan cleared to play, but where?

Almost seven months after having microfracture surgery on his right knee, Jon Runyan got the green light to play football again Monday.

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Runyan cleared to play, but where?

POSTED: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 4:08 PM

Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist

Almost seven months after having microfracture surgery on his right knee, Jon Runyan got the green light to play football again Monday.

``Now I just need to find a job,’’ the 35-year-old offensive tackle said.

Any chance he could end up re-signing with the Eagles?

``There’s a chance of everything,’’ Runyan said. ``So we’ll see. I’m not writin g anything off at this point.’’

Two weeks ago, coach Andy Reid didn’t completely close the door to bringing Runyan back.

``We have a pretty good idea where he’s at, and we’ll just see how things go,’’ Reid said on August 10. ``He’s working hard at getting back, and that’s what his primary focus should be, whether it’s here or somewhere else.’’

At the moment, ``somewhere else’’ has a pretty good lead on ``here.’’ A source in the Eagles organization told the Daily News on Tuesday that, while the team hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of re-signing Runyan, right now it’s unlikely. Though that could change the next time Shawn Andrews opens his mouth.

Andrews was moved from right guard to right tackle to replace Runyan. But he’s been on the shelf since the first day of training camp when he reinjured his back during the team’s conditioning run.

Despite Andrews’ ``hell, yeah’’ declaration Monday that he’ll be back in time for the Eagles’ season-opener against Carolina, nobody’s betting the ranch on that happening.

Runyan said he doesn’t have any workouts scheduled yet with any teams, including the Eagles. But he has no doubt that he’ll be playing for somebody this season.

``It’ll definitely happen,’’ he said. ``Whether it’s next week when everybody’s juggling their rosters, or a few weeks after that, I’ll wait and see what happens.

``It’s just a matter of timing right now. You never know what’s going to happen from week to week. Somebody goes does down and all of a sudden, somebody else is in a bind. I’m not in a big hurry.

``It’s a matter of me being able to go out and do what I’ve done in the past. The biggest thing is now that I’m able to do it, people are going to have to bring me in so I can pass a physical and prove I can still play.’’

Runyan, who has started 192 straight regular-season games, said he has made a complete recovery from his February surgery.

``I can play,’’ he said. ``I’m not the smoothest in the world right now, but I can still get the job done. Dr. (James) Andrews was very conservative in letting everything heal, because originally, whe n I had (the surgery), he said 4 to 6 months, and it’s already been 7.

``We’re sure it’s healed. Now the biggest thing is just getting back. Getting over the mental aspect of throwing your leg into the ground. And that’s only going to happen when you prove to yourself that you can do it. You can only do so many drills and run so many sprints. Eventually, you have to get out there and hit somebody and say, `Wow, that didn’t hurt.’’’

To read our earlier post about Mike Vick and his Eagles debut, plus a Brian Westbrook update, click here.

To read about the tight end and linebacker the Eagles signed today, click here.

54 comments

Comments (54)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:53 PM, 08/25/2009

Sign Runyan! This is Leadership at its finest! He would be the ultimate "Player/Coach".

— citysims

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:58 PM, 08/25/2009

here is a guy you will go and give you his best and note whine about it.

— ziller0604

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:29 PM, 08/25/2009

BRING HIM BACK NOW ANDY!!!!! Even if Andrews comes back and that's a big if - he hasn't play right tackle yet. Justice is a stiff.

— DMC5

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:50 PM, 08/25/2009

Hello Eagles? Are you listening? Seems like everybody commenting are all in agreement (which if y'all pay attention is pretty dang rare!). SIGN HIM! Losing Dawk and Runyan both cut way too much heart from this team.

— aud

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:23 PM, 08/25/2009

Tough call for the Eagles. We can only hope - if they keep Justice and do not sign Runyan - it's really about ability to get the job done more so than stubborn pride &/or refusing to admit a mistake. Mr. Mister: great point. hehe

— raoool