CHARLOTTE -- Third quarter observations from the Eagles-Panthers game:

-- Donovan McNabb blows. I can't believe he threw that interception to Jon Beason. Just kidding. Don did short arm a pass to Kevin Curtis, but at this point it will merely be a footnote in a game that will go down as an unqualified success for the Eagles.

-- Julius Peppers, who? Trent Cole is the best defensive end on the field today. He stopped DeAngelo Williams for a short gain and has been a force. And two plays later he got in Jake Delhomme's face, forcing the quarterback to throw another interception. This time Akeem Jordan picked off Delhomme.

-- McNabb takes one for the team and muscles his way for a 3-yard TD run. Eagles, 38-10. The Eagles quarterback, though, fell ackwardly and a Panthers player landed on his back. McNabb laid on the grass on his back for a while. The training staff and coach Andy Reid came out to check on No. 5. He finally rose and walked off the field without assistance, but it looked like he hurt his lower back. McNabb sat on the sideline bench, was looked at for a while and then walked off the field and into the locker room. He was reported to have a rib injury. His return was doubtful.

-- Kevin Kolb replaced McNabb on the next series. That left the Eagles with just one able-bodied QB. Michael Vick is suspended, as you may recall, the Eagles did not sign another signal caller after they cut A.J. Feeley. Oh, and they failed to designate a third quarterback. If Kolb goes down, too, our guess is that DeSean Jackson will take snaps in the Wildcat formation.

-- Delhomme is out and Josh McCown is in. The spattering of leftover Panthers fans erupt. McCown doesn't look much better and nearly throws another interception to Asante Samuel, who had the Eagles' fourth pick earlier.

-- Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver was in the locker room getting an IV treatment. No word on whether his return is immenent.

CHARLOTTE -- Second quarter observations from the Eagles-Panthers game:

-- Wow. Did anybody see this coming? Are the Eagles that good or are the Panthers -- and Jake Delhomme -- that bad? Methinks it's a little bit of both.

-- This game turned in the second quarter and the offense really didn't have much to do with the first-half blowout. Trent Cole got things started when he sacked Jake Delhomme and forced a fumble. Cole was lined up as a "Joker" -- a standing end -- in the middle and rushed the quarterback with linebacker Omar Gaither. Gaither was picked up but Cole wasn't and zoomed into Delhomme, punching the ball out of the quarterback's grasp. Victor Abiamiri scooped up the football and ran two yards for the score. Eagles, 10-7.

-- DeSean Jackson got this party started with a 85-yard, high-stepping punt return for a touchdown. It looked like Carolina punter Jason Baker out-kicked his coverage and Jackson just took advantage of all that space. He darted past two defenders, side-stepped Baker and danced the last 30 yards into the end zone. It was the second-longest TD punt return in team history. Via Sikahema has the mark with a 87-yard jaunt from 1992. Eagles, 17-7.

-- Delhomme picked up from where he left off last season when he threw five interceptions against Arizona in the playoffs. He tosses another one to Sheldon Brown, who stepped in front of Steve Smith and returned the pick 37 yards. Guess Brown hopes to get that new contract another way -- by playing his way into one. One play later, Donovan McNabb and Brent Celek hooked up for a 9-yard TD. Jackson, though, was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty when he did a celebratory flop in the end zone. Easy now, DeSean, only one guy can celebrate that way. Eagles, 24-7.

-- A nice debut for Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, wouldn't you say? The Eagles front seven has constantly been in Delhomme's grill. Akeem Jordan sacks the quarterback on a blitz and the Panthers are forced to punt again.

-- The Eagles offense gets in on the fray and puts together a nice, 10-play 74-yard drive. Brian Westbrook is still Brian Westbrook, thank you very much. The tailback had four carries for 38 yards, plus a four-yard TD reception when McNabb flipped a shovel pass to Westbrook. The romp is on and Panthers fans are filing down the aisles and out of Bank of America Stadium. Eagles, 31-7.

-- Andy Reid had his first challenge of the season when he tossed his red hankie when the refs ruled that Eagles running back LeSean McCoy fumbled. It was fairly clear that McCoy was down. Score one for Big Red, who hasn't been too successful with his challenges in the past. He kept the drive alive and the Eagles scored three plays later on Westbrook's TD.

-- Eagles guard Max Jean-Gilles left with a left knee sprain. His return was probable.

-- Some first half numbers:

McNabb, 8 of 15 for 71 yards and 2 TDs, plus 2 carries for 19 yards
Westbrook, 7 carries for 45 yards, plus two catches for 7 yards
Jackson, 2 punt returns for 106 yards and a TD
Eagles defense, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble for a TD

CHARLOTTE -- First-quarter observations from the Eagles-Panthers game:

-- Macho Harris had the sort of start you might expect from a rookie starting in his first NFL game. The free safety missed a tackle on DeAngelo Williams -- he won't be the first -- and looked like he was out-run by Jake Delhomme on a quarterback scramble.

-- Juqua Parker doesn't just take bad arrests, the Eagles defensive end took a costly penalty on third down when he grabbed Delhomme's fask mask. The Eagles apparently had forced Carolina to punt when Delhomme threw an incomplete pass to Muhsin Muhammad. But Parker was whistled for the personal foul and the drive was kept alive.

-- Williams was sprung for 11-yard TD run when Eagles end Trent Cole was cut blocked on the outside and safety Quntin Mikell was caught inside. Not the kind of start the Birds had hoped for -- a 13-play, 70-yard drive that drained 8:06 off the clock. Panthers, 7-0.

--  Jason Peters was saved by Donovan McNabb after the quarterback converted a third and long with a 18-yard strike to Jason Avant. Peters was called for a false start a play earlier. The drive stalled, however, when Brent Celek dropped a pass from McNabb. No. 5 looks sharp thus far -- the rest of the offense, not so much.

-- On that same note, Peters -- the $60 million man -- was called again for a false start. Kevin Curtis dropped a would-be first down reception when McNabb hit him in the worst spot -- his hands. The Eagles still managed to get on the board with a 48-yard field goal from David Akers, who showed plenty of leg. Panthers, 7-3.

-- That score was set up by Sheldon Brown's interception. The cornerback showed great hands on a tipped ball. Carolina had Steve Smith matched up with Macho Harris in the slot -- the kind of matchup you would want if you're the Panthers. But Harris shadowed Smith across the middle and Delhomme threw it behind his start receiver, who deflected the pass toward Brown.

CHARLOTTE -- The Eagles released their inactives for today's game against the Panthers. They are: WR Brandon Gibson, S Sean Jones, LB Joe Mays, T Shawn Andrews, C Mike McGlynn, G Todd Herremans, WR Reggie Brown and DE Jason Babin.

The Eagles did not designate a third quarterback.

Andrews (back), Mays (shoulder) and Herremans (foot) are injured and out.

Check back for more updates.

Winston Justice.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said today that right tackle Shawn Andrews is out for Sunday's season opener at Carolina and that Winston Justice would start in Andrews' place.

Andrews did not partake in practice for the second straight day, but was at the NovaCare Complex. He had no comment.

Brian Westbrook left practice early today, but Reid said it was just a precaution to keep the running back off the turf at the Eagles' indoor practice facility. Westbrook was added to the injury report yesterday with a unspecified knee condition. But Reid said his starting tailback would be ready for the Panthers.

"He's fine," Reid said. "We've been trying to monitor him as much as we can and just limit his reps."

Andrews re-injured his back during Wednesday's practice and told the team about it on Thursday, Reid said. Andrews sat out practice on Thursday for the first time in 12 days. "His back flared up again," Reid said. "Our people or Shawn feel like he can't make it through this game."

Reid was asked if he was worried about Andrews' injury being a long-term concern.

"I just think it's a matter of his back getting better," Reid said. "That's how these things work. I've said that from the get-go. When you're dealing with backs, they flare up and things happen."

Justice ran with the first team the last two days. Reid said Justice has the opportunity to steal the job from Andrews.

"I thought one of the real positives coming out of camp was Winston Justice and how he played," Reid said. "It was valuable, valuable experience he got in there."

The Eagles brought in Jon Runyan on Thursday to evaluate his rehabiliation from off-season knee surgery. Reid said that Runyan's appearance coming the day after Andrews' injury was nothing but a coincidence. "That's not what that was," he said. 

He said it was the first time the team had worked him out since off-season knee surgery.

"I got a look at him first hand," Reid said. "I'm not going to get into how he looked and all that. ... We haven't done anything there. But it was good to see him."

Whether the team is seriously considering bringing back its former long-time right tackle or not, it appears unlikely that Runyan would be signed before the Panthers game. As a vested veteran, Runyan would be guaranteed his entire base salary if the Eagles signed their former player to a contract. Plus, the Eagles might not have space on the roster to make such an addition -- unless, of course, they dealt wide receiver Reggie Brown between now and the game.

The 35-year-old Runyan was expected to be in Buffalo to work out for the Bills today.

Andrews hasn't played in a game since the second game of last season and missed all of training camp and most of the preseason after he re-injured his back during a conditioning run. He returned to practice on Aug. 29 and participated in every session until missing Thursday's practice.

Reid also said that Nick Cole would start at left guard in place of the injured Todd Herremans. Linebacker Joe Mays is also out for the game.

Reid was asked who the third quarterback was -- after Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb -- for the Panthers game. "I can't tell you that," he said. Michael Vick will be serving the first of a two game suspension and the team released A.J. Feeley on Sunday.

The Iron Man showed up at the NovaCare Complex this morning.

Former Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan worked out for coach Andy Reid, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and general manager Tom Heckert before practice today.

The Eagles confirmed that they had brought Runyan in. According to Reid, the team wanted to see where the long-time Eagles tackle was physically in his rehabiliation.

The reason why? No one quite knows yet, although this could be a clue: starting right tackle Shawn Andrews was not practicing today. He was on the field, but was in shorts as the rest of the offensive line went through drills. Andrews had been bothered by a sore back, but returned recently and said he felt great.

Apparently, he had a setback.

Running back Brian Westbrook did practice, but he was added to the injury list by the team afterward with a knee injury. Westbrook, who had left knee surgery and right ankle surgery during the offseason, had not been listed on the injury report Wednesday.

Adding to the Andrews' intrigue, the Eagles closed their locker room to the media after practice and Reid took a circuitous route off the practice field in order to avoid questioners. Reid walked off with Westbrook.

Heckert had no comment after Runyan's workout.

Runyan, of course, spent nine seasons with the Eagles and never missed a game. He has started 192 straight regular-season games, the longest active streak among offensive linemen, but the Eagles opted not to re-sign him as a free agent this offseason. Runyan underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee shortly after last season and wasn't cleared to return by Dr. James Andrews until last month.

Runyan was recently in Kansas City working out for the Chiefs.

Ben Dogra, the agent for Runyan, said he has not had any contract discussions with the Eagles about his client as of 3 p.m. today. Attempts to reach Runyan have been unsuccessful.

Several players did not know of Runyan's appearance before practice, including backup right tackle Winston Justice.

Afterward Justice talked about the possibility of starting Sunday's season opener.

"I don't know, I'm just a worker here," said Justice, who started all four preseason games at right tackle.

Justice said he's ready if needed.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg declined to talk about Andrews' absence as he left the practice field.

Other players were aware of Runyan's workout.

"I just know that they were bringing him in," said Eagles guard Todd Herremans, who is currently recovering from surgery on his left foot. "I don't know anything else."

The Eagles' offensive line has been beseiged by injuries this preseason. New left tackle Jason Peters dealt with an off-and-on thigh strain through most of training camp. New right guard Stacy Andrews was gradually brought fully into the starting fold as he recovered from off-season knee surgery. Herremans, of course, had a stress fracture in his foot and is expected to miss at least two games. And right tackle Shawn Andrews missed all of camp and most of the preseason with a sore back.

Shawn Andrews has been practicing for two weeks and is slated to start Sunday in the season opener at Carolina. But he didn't have the opportunity to test out his back in a preseason game and hasn't played in a game in almost a year.

While it's not known yet whether the Eagles are seriously considering signing the 35-year-old Runyan, they could be gauging Runyan's return just in case something would happen to their starting right tackle.
 

Poll: Should the Eagles sign Runyan? (6796 votes)

Join Jeff McLane for a live Eagles chat Thursday at 10 a.m.

Is Macho Harris ready to be this team's starting free safety?

The answer won't be provided at least until Sunday -- maybe not until the bye week.

But one thing can be said: the rookie talks a good game. Harris said that he did not lack the confidence to step in and do the job. Asked if he would be able to handle some of the quarterbacking responsibilities a safety has like calling out assignments, Harris didn't pause.

"Definitely, I'm ready," Harris said. "I'm ready. I got an assistant [SS Quintin Mikell] back there, too, to help me out, so it shouldn't be so bad."

Harris won the starting job late in the preseason, beating out Quintin Demps. Not many saw it coming. Harris played cornerback at Virginia Tech and was hurt through various parts of minicamp and training camp. But Demps failed to get the job done and Harris showed that he had the physical skills to play in the middle. Coupled with his cover skills, the Eagles coaches felt as if Harris could step in even though he's hardly played the position.

"When I came out of college I didn't know anything about free safety," Harris said. "I didn't know my alignments. I felt like I was covering grass rather than being around making plays. But now that I've been hip to it, coaches coaching me up, guys like Quintin Mikell -- even Quintin Demps, he helped me out a lot, too. I've got a bunch great guys around me around me helping me with the transition."

In other news, the following players with recent injuries were able to fully participate in Wednesday's practice: WR Kevin Curtis (knee), T King Dunlap (elbow), LB Moise Fokou (shoulder), DE Darren Howard (groin), T Winston Justice (shoulder), CB Dimitri Patterson (ankle), FB Leonard Weaver (knee) and LB Tracy White (ribs).

Linebacker Joe Mays is out for Sunday's season opener at Carolina, Eagles coach Andy Reid said today. The backup middle linebacker has a shoulder sprain.

Mays recently lost out on the open competition for the starting middle linebacker spot to Omar Gaither. Reid said that SAM linebacker Chris Gocong would move to the middle if Gaither went down. Gocong's backup is rookie Moise Fokou.

Gaither has been hobbled by a knee strain and only recently returned to practice.

"I wouldn't say neccessarily that it's a concern," Reid said of Gaither's injury. "I know that he's feeling better. Time was very important in this injury and he's had the time to heal up. ... I know he can play the middle linebacker position."

Reid also said that Michael Vick would remain on the exempt list, meaning that the quarterback can't participate in practice. The Eagles can take Vick off the special exempt list at any time before he's reinstated for Week 3.

"The way the rule works is he can work out with his coach after practice," Reid said. "He just can't go through team activities during practice."

Reid said that Vick will travel with the team down to Charlotte for Sunday's game.

As of now, it sounds as if the Eagles will carry seven wide receivers with them for the opener. The team carried six wideouts last season, but DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin, Hank Baskett, Brandon Gibson and Reggie Brown all made the team -- for now. The Eagles were reportedly looking to unload Brown but have yet to find a suitor.

"We feel like we have some good players there," Reid said, explaining why there are seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster.

Todd Herremans is the only other player right now that is out for the Panthers game. The guard is recovering from surgery to correct a stress fracture in his left foot. Reid said that Herremans is out for at least two games. It sounds like Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles will split duties filling in for the injured Herremans.

Reid also explained the reason behind the team choosing rookie Macho Harris as its starting free safety. Harris, who played only cornerback in college at Virginia Tech, beat out Quintin Demps.

"We brought Macho here with the thought that he may be able to do that," Reid said. "It's worked where he's at the safety spot and it's worked out well. I think he's picking up pretty well. We'll just see how he does here. I think everybody has got confidence in him to put him at that spot."