On Monday, Andrews declared, "Let the beasting begin."

Yesterday afternoon, he shied away from proclamations of his beastliness.

Andrews, sitting in an office, besieged by a small contingent of the press, waited until a member of the public relations staff could shield his exit. Andrews also made sure he had a cell phone at his ear when he walked past the press corps, so he wouldn't have to entertain the familiar refrain:

"How you do feel?"

Andrews has heard that since he left Game 2 last season with a back issue that ultimately needed surgery and extensive rehabilitation. He's probably sick of hearing it, and answering it, since his inclusion or exclusion from Eagles activities always answers it anyway.

Andrews is an eclectic, bleach-Mohawked, aspiring rapper who earned Pro Bowl nods after the 2006 and 2007 seasons as a guard. He entered the 2009 training camp penciled in as the Eagles' starting right tackle, replacing Jon Runyan.

But Andrews' back problems kept him out of all of the Eagles' preseason games and almost all of their preseason practices. Andrews returned to practice and worked for 12 straight days as the starter.

Then, on Wednesday, he "tweaked" his back, head coach Andy Reid said. He came to work Thursday and told the team he was hurt again. He watched part of Thursday's outdoor practice from the sideline, but he did not even attend practice yesterday, which was held indoors because of rain (the indoor facility's floor is murder on joints).

Afterward, Reid announced that Andrews will not play tomorrow in Carolina and that Winston Justice will start instead.

"Neither our people nor Shawn feels like he can make it through this game," Reid said.

Reid insisted that Andrews' continued absence was not a frustration. A team spokesman said that Andrews currently is not scheduled for further exams or procedures and that his health will be monitored and attended to by team staff.

Reid did stress that Justice, a preseason standout, could win Andrews' job if he plays well Sunday and, ostensibly, beyond. Justice started and practiced in Andrews' place all through training camp.

"I thought one of the real positives coming out of camp was Winston Justice and how he played. I thought it was valuable, valuable experience that he got in there. I just look forward to seeing him out there competing," Reid said.

So, it's a competition? Justice isn't just holding a spot for Andrews?

"Absolutely," Reid said.

That's news to Justice - good news, and rare good news, considering Justice's main claim to fame as an Eagle. Starting in place of injured left tackle Tra Thomas in September 2007, Justice gave up several of the 12 sacks the Eagles surrendered to the Giants two seasons ago.

"I'm not worried about redemption. I'm worried about being a great offensive tackle against the Panthers," Justice said. "If redemption comes with it, fine."

Actually, redemption apparently already has come. Justice yesterday let it be known that he has refocused his life on God's goodness. The resultant clarity for him has changed everything, he said, and he will play only for God's glory.