Eagles' Peters has achilles surgery

Jason Peters underwent surgery to repair his ruptured right Achilles tendon, the Eagles said Tuesday.

The surgery was performed by Steve Ralkin of the Rothman Institute at Jefferson Hospital in the Navy Yard.

Peters injured himself on March 27 while working out in Texas. The Eagles have not set a timetable for the all-pro left tackle's return, but recovery from an Achilles injury takes on average about nine months.

The team has already begun to search for a replacement, bringing in free agent Demetrius Bell for a visit last weekend. But the Bills tackle left without a deal and is reportedly scheduled to meet with Green Bay some time this week.

Bell has also visited the Steelers. The Cardinals and Redskins are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old. And yet, Bell remains unsigned. The Eagles are likely only looking for a stopgap until Peters returns, although a full recovery from an Achilles tear - especially for a 30-year old - is never certain.

Marcus McNeill is considered to be one of the best free-agent tackles on the market, but he has been beset by injuries over the last two seasons. Kareem McKenzie is also available, but he's 32 and a right tackle.

The next tier of free agents is rife with journeymen, parttime starters and injured tackles. That list includes Max Starks and Tria Essex of the Steelers, Barry Richardson of the Chiefs, Pat McQuistan of the Saints, Stephon Heyer of the Raiders and James Lee of the Bucs.

The Eagles re-signed King Dunlap to a one-year contract last week, but he has only three career starts at left tackle. He should be in the mix for the spot, though. There's a chance the Eagles move one of their other starters to left tackle - right tackle Todd Herremans or right guard Danny Watkins have experience there.

The draft is three weeks away and the Eagles could always pull off a trade. But there aren't many draft prospects deemed ready to start on day one, and most teams aren't looking to deal away starting-caliber tackles.

Extra points. The NFL will release the Eagles' 2012 preseason opponents on Wednesday. Dates and times will be announced at a later date. While the Eagles' regular-season opponents are set, the full schedule won't be released until late this month.

Former Temple left guard Derek Dennis, outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead and safety Kevin Kroboth are scheduled to work out for the Eagles at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday morning. All three players were seniors on this past season's Owls squad.

Dennis is expected to be a late-round pick in this month's NFL draft. Whitehead and Kevin Kroboth are projected as late-round or free-agent selections.