Injuries Already Threaten Eagles

The Eagles are a popular pick to be a serious contender in the parity-clustered NFC. But with the teams stacked so closely, injuries are already threatening to put Philadelphia in tenuous situation to kick off the season.

Three key starters -- right guard Shawn Andrews, tight end L.J. Smith and free safety Brian Dawkins -- are all dealing with injuries that could keep them out of the season opener in Green Bay. The Eagles should be able to get past the Packers minus all or part of the trio, but ensuing games against Washington, Detroit and at the Giants leading into the team's bye week will be more difficult short-handed.

Andrews is emerging as one of the best guards in the league, but is likely to miss at least the preseason schedule with a right ankle injury. And his backup, Scott Young, is out indefinitely with a sprained right knee.

Smith's injury might be even more concerning. He had offseason surgery for a sports hernia -- yes, the same injury that landed quarterback Donovan McNabb on injured reserve in 2005. Smith went down in practice last week with what the team is calling a groin injury, but it's eerily close to where the sports hernia stemmed from.

Dawkins is bothered by Achilles tendinitis, which has kept him out of practice since the first day of camp. He figures to be bothered by the injury all season, which is certainly a concern for a 34-year-old and leaves him more susceptible to rupturing the tendon. Dawkins is the leader of the secondary and arguably the team's most indispensable defender.