Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a major blow to their team in 2012 when star left tackle Jason Peters tore his Achilles tendon working out near his home in Texas in late March. It was assumed that Peters would miss the entire season, especially when he re-ruptured the Achilles tendon when he fell off his motor device in May.
The Eagles reacted quickly when Peters went down, signing the top free agent on the market, Demetress Bell. But Bell has been a major disappointment so far this season, and veteran King Dunlap is better suited as a backup than a starter.
The Eagles are still 3-1, but it’s going to be difficult for them to make a Super Bowl run with such a hole at left tackle. It won’t be impossible. In fact, the last time the Eagles made the playoffs, they lost right guard Shawn Andrews, their first round pick several months ago, for the season in week one.
However, the Eagles got some good news earlier this week. Peters won’t comment on whether he can return for this season, which I take as a good sign. But he is noticeably walking without a limp and he has been doing some running too.
Head coach Andy Reid said that Peters is healing fast and making progress.
Peters is currently on the Reserve Non-Football-Injury list, which is different from the injured reserve. There is a three-week period from weeks six to nine where players on the NFI list can resume practicing. After those three weeks, they have to be placed on the active roster or placed on IR.
However, the new IR rule could allow the Eagles to place Peters on the short-term IR. There’s nobody on the team who would be more important for short term injured reserve than Peters.
I don’t think he’ll be back during the regular season. But I truly do believe that there’s a chance he could return for the postseason. If the Eagles made the Super Bowl, Peters would have about four more months to get into football shape.
I still think it’s a slim chance and obviously I’m not a doctor and I don’t know the exact extent of his injury or where he is at in his recovery. But I’m going to go out on a limb here.
If the Eagles make the Super Bowl, Peters will play.
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