Eagles offensive lineman Ryan Harris, who at one point earlier this month was the Eagles projected starting right tackle, will undergo back surgery, likely within the next week, two league sources told CSNs Derrick Gunn Friday.
With incumbent right tackle Winston Justice unable to practice following two off-season knee surgeries, the Eagles signed Harris on Aug. 2, and he quickly rose to the top of the depth chart.
But Harris apparently injured his back while blocking on a field goal attempt in the Eagles first preseason game against the Ravens on Aug. 12 at the Linc. He returned to practice last Saturday for one day, then didnt practice again the rest of the week.
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Harris, who has had three prior back surgeries dating back to his college career at Notre Dame, signed a one-year, non-guaranteed 685,000 contract with the Eagles that included a 50,000 roster bonus that the Eagles wont have to pay if hes placed on the season-ending Injured Reserve list.
With Justice still not practicing and Harris about to have surgery, the Eagles options are limited at right tackle.
King Dunlap started in the preseason game on Thursday night. Recent acquisition Reggie Wells is also practicing at right tackle, as is Austin Howard, who left Thursdays game with knee swelling.
Fenuki Tupou, who also got some training camp reps with the first team at right tackle, has also been out for a couple weeks with a knee injury.
News
Head coach Andy Reid suggested on his radio show on Monday that he hasnt ruled out moving left guard Todd Herremans out to right tackle, where he played as a rookie in 2005.