The Eagles re-signed veteran offensive tackle King Dunlap Friday morning, giving them depth and experience at a position where they had neither after unloading former starter Winston Justice.
Dunlap, who was an unrestricted free agent, has played in 38 games, with seven starts, since he was a seventh-round draft pick in 2008.
He started five games in 2010two at left tackle, three at right tackleand two last yearone at left tackle and one at left guard.
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Dunlap, 6-foot-9, is tied for the third-tallest player in NFL history, behind Richard Sligh, a seven-foot defensive lineman with the Raiders in the 1960s, and Morris Stroud, a 6-10 tight end who spent six years with the Chiefs in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Eagles were left without any backup offensive tackles when they shipped Justice, a former second-round pick, to the Colts in a salary dump. Justice, who started 31 games and was a full-time starter at right tackle in 2009 and 2010, was due to earn 3.225 million in 2012 and 3.75 million in 2013 with salary cap figures of 4.256 million this year and 4.781 million next year.
Dunlap is particularly valuable because he can play either tackle spot and can also play guard in a pinch.
Dunlap, 26, also plays special teams and recorded his first career field goal block last year, blocking a 45-yard attempt by 49ers kicker David Akers.
Other backup offensive linemen on the roster right now are 2011 draft pick Julian Vandervelde, veteran guards Mike Gibson and Steve Vallos, former practice squad members Dallas Reynolds and Zane Taylor, and Ravens castoff D.J. Jones.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com