The Giants cannot afford to lose another offensive lineman. But there’s a chance they might.
Left tackle Shawn Andrews did not practice Wednesday with what the team is saying is an issue with his back.
That could be ominous. Andrews, with the Eagles, missed all of last season and the final 14 games of the 2008 season with severe back problems that forced him to have two surgeries to remove disks in his lower back. He’s been healthy with the Giants and has been impressive in his starts the past two games at left tackle.
The Giants did not immediately offer an explanation as to how hurt Andrews is but there’s no doubt they need him on an offensive line already playing without two starters — center Shaun O’Hara and tackle/guard David Diehl. Andrews on Twitter wrote, “This can’t be happening” but offered no other explanation.
This was already going to be an emotional week for Andrews, who was a two-time Pro Bowl guard for the Eagles before they finally gave up on him this past spring after his back problems and bout with depression kept him off the field for so long.
Tom Coughlin earlier in the day said Andrews, “Was in the starting role because he has played well and he certainly hasn’t done anything to discourage that.’’
Eagles coach Andy Reid said “I’m proud of him’’ and said Andrews’ comeback is “a tribute to hard work.’’ Reid also praised Andrews as a player, saying “I said this often when he was with us that I had never seen an offensive lineman as talented as Shawn Andrews.’’
The fallback position for the Giants in case Andrews can’t play Sunday night in Philadelphia is to insert second-year Will Beatty in at left tackle, which is his natural position. Beatty broke his foot in the season-opener and just returned to action in last week’s loss to the Cowboys.