Right tackle spot remains unsettled for Eagles

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The most unsettled position on the Eagles just got a little more unsettled.

Head coach Andy Reid said Winston Justice, the starter at right tackle in 2009 and 2010, is still experiencing pain around his surgically repaired left knee and is still a ways away from returning to practice. Justice underwent two knee procedures during the off-season after being hobbled during the second half of last year.

Now what?

Reid said he was happy with the way King Dunlap performed with the first offense Thursday night in Pittsburgh and said Dunlapwho needed most of Lehigh to get back into shapewill continue to work with the starting group.

King did a fairly nice job in the game, Reid said. I thought he played well there. ... I think hes worked himself into football shape and kind of getting what we expected earlier in the preseason.

I have confidence in King. It was just a matter of him getting used to Howard Mudds new techniques, and it looked like he did a nice job in the game against good competition. So I felt like when we came into camp that that was the case and then it was just a matter of him catching up on things. So I was good with it. Am I going to continue the competition? Absolutely, yeah.

Meanwhile, Ryan Harriswho had been practicing with the first group at right tackle before suffering a back injuryreturned to practice Saturday but didnt get any work with the starting group, Reid said. Practice was closed to the media.

The Eagles have already used Dunlap, Harris, Austin Howard, Fenuki Tupou and Evan Mathis at one time or other this preseason at right tackle with the first offense.

To further complicate matters, the Eagles on Saturday re-signed veteran Reggie Wells, who spent last year with the Eagles after seven seasons with the Cards, and Reid said he wants to work Wells in at right tackle. Wells has played exclusively at guard the last four years.

Justice is on the PUP list with his knee injury. Reid benched Justice for Dunlap late in the Packers preseason game in January, and the offense responded with two long drivesone for a TDwith Dunlap at right tackle.

Last week, Reid said Justice was close to being able to return, but Saturday, he didnt sound as optimistic.

Hes still got a little bit of pain on the outside of his knee and wont practice until that part calms down, Reid said. Hes getting his strength back in his leg there and a little more trust in his knee. Hes got a little bit to go here.

Hes making progress, I mean, hes strong. The trainers are putting pressure on his healthy right leg and just comparing it to how much hes able to support on his left leg. He cant stick it in the ground quite enough at this point.

Now, its better than it was last week when they did the same thing. So hes making progress on it. Its just a matter of him, those offensive lineman, they can stick those feet in the ground and be strong. I think hes on track. Hes working very hard. So well just see how it all works out.

Wells played little last year after joining the Eagles just before the season began, but Reid said he likes Wells experience and versatility.

Wells, who started 97 games for Arizona and played in the Super Bowl for the Cards in 2008, last played tackle in 2006, when he started 10 games for the Cards at right tackle.

You know you get a good player that can play a couple different positions for you, Reid said. Id really like to see him take some snaps at the right tackle spot and continue the competition there. ... He has done it, its just a matter of him kind of getting back into the swing of things. He came this morning at 7 oclock, he took the red eye in and then we threw him out there just to kind of get his feet under him right now.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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