After two major operations on his back, Giants lineman Shawn Andrews knows he can’t take anything for granted.
Ever since Andrews signed with the Giants in August, the offensive lineman has been pointing toward facing the Eagles, the team that essentially let its 2004 first-round selection and three-time Pro Bowl player walk away after six seasons.
But Andrews felt some discomfort in his surgically repaired back during the Giants’ 33-20 loss to Dallas last Sunday and has not practiced since.
“Coming off another back injury and not playing for two years, I know that I have some days better than others,” said Andrews, whose balky back kept him out of practice for a third straight day and has him listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game against Philadelphia. “I think it’s structurally sound and everything is fine. I’m excited about the way I feel. I’m at a loss of words because I know this is a special weekend.”
Andrews became emotional when asked about playing Sunday.
“If the game was today, then, yeah, I would be playing,” Andrews said, pausing to collect his thoughts. “I want to show how dedicated I am to this team. They took a chance on me and I feel like I owe them. I definitely want to play. I still have a couple days to get better. We’ll know on Sunday.”
The Giants’ offensive line has been ravaged by injury and could use anything Andrews can provide in the showdown for first place in the NFC East. Center Shaun O’Hara and tackle David Diehl have already been declared out and the Giants’ coaching staff continues to put together a patchwork offensive line, inserting recently returned William Beatty into the rotation after missing most of the season with a foot injury.
“He’s had to come along fast, because we need him,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said of Beatty. “As for Andrews, he’s made a little progress. We’ll see how he is.”
Andrews got onto the practice field Friday, but did not participate in any drills.
“I just got out there to get in some mental reps, to make sure I’m on the same page with the rest of the guys,” said Andrews, who was the Eagles’ No. 1 pick in 2004 and made the Pro Bowl from 2005 through 2007. “I’m still new here and I don’t know everything. I want to stay on top of things just in case I can play.”
Andrews said he is looking forward to facing the Eagles, who released him last March after two troubled years that included two surgeries on his back and a bout with depression.
“I never thought there was any bad blood between us,” Andrews said. “I didn’t leave on bad terms. It’s just that my time was up there. It’s good to get back and face my old team. It’s just special to have this chance. I don’t want to make it a personal thing, but I was released, fired, what have you. It gets me a little extra amped up and ready to play.”
But what happens if Andrews is unable to play?
“Wow, that’s going to be a tough one,” Andrews said, his voice cracking. “This is a big one for me.”
Andrews said he still has a close relationship with former teammate Jason Peters, with whom Andrews played college ball at Arkansas.
“We talk all the time and hang out, but we don’t talk about football,” Andrews said. “I don’t know how I’m going to be received in Philly. I used to let the bad things get to me. It’s not my place now. I had my taste of humble pie, not playing for two years. I’m letting the past stay in the past.”
Andrews doesn’t want to blame his current back woes on previous surgeries.
“One could probably speculate that it is,” Andrews said. “It’s hard to think about not playing, but I also think about how far I’ve come, especially since the second surgery. I could have walked away from football and gone fishing in Arkansas, forgetting about football. But I wanted to make it back and I owe it to these guys to give it a shot. It’s all about managing the pain right now, but nothing is guaranteed. It’s just made me more vulnerable, but I’m doing everything in my power to play.”
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TE Kevin Boss (back) and CB Corey Webster (toe) returned to practice after missing one day and are listed as probable. DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), LB Gerris Wilkinson (hand) and KR/WR Darius Reynaud (hamstring) practiced and are listed as probable as well. O’Hara (foot), Diehl (hip/hamstring), WR Steve Smith (torn pectoral) and FB Madison Hedgecock (hamstring) are out, although Hedgecock practiced lightly Friday.