Dunlap ailing, Eagles' O-line still in flux

Todd Herremans hasnt played left tackle since 2006. Winston Justice hasnt played anywhere since off-season knee surgery.

Thanks to yet another offensive line injury, Herremans and Justice could both find themselves in unfamiliar positions Sunday in the Eagles crucial game against the Redskins at FedEx Field.

With Jason Peters already out for Sunday with a hamstring injury and his replacement, King Dunlap, out for a second straight day of practice with back spasms, the Eagles have been forced to move Herremans from right tackle to left tackle -- where he started four games in 2005 -- and insert Winston Justice at right tackle, even though he missed the entire preseason and hasnt played a snap on the offensive line since last year.

Oh, and the Eagles have to win Sunday. And the Redskins have a ferocious defensive line, led by pass rushing linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.

Head coach Andy Reid said Dunlap began experiencing back spasms on the final play of practice Wednesday. Dunlap is listed as questionable.

Herremans began the season at left guard, moved to right tackle in place of Dunlap just before the regular season began, and is now at his third position in the last seven weeks.

Its crazy because now, when I get on the left side, sometimes I automatically put my hand down because I feel like Im playing guard again, Herremans said. The thing with making a transition like that, I know the technique, I know the steps Im supposed to take, its just getting my body used to being on that side.

I got used to being on the right again, and now Im getting switched up again. But the main thing is we want to get our five best guys out there and go out there and win the game.

Dunlap started at right tackle in Buffalo Sunday. If hes unable to play Sunday, the Eagles will have their fourth starting offensive line since the third week of the preseason.

Justice got a few special teams snaps at Buffalo but hasnt played on the O-line since the Green Bay playoff game in January. Since he missed all of training camp, hes spent the last few weeks learning new offensive line coach Howard Mudds system.

Ive been working on it, Justice said. Mudds been really great. Weve done some stuff after practice, 1-on-1. Weve been doing that for the past month, and Ive been doing his technique in the scout team. I get to go against Jason Babin, and Juqua Parker ... so I get a chance to go against pretty good pass rushers in scout team. Its a good opportunity for me to get better.

The next man in at tackle would be left guard Evan Mathis, who played the entire preseason finale against the Jets at right tackle.

If Mathis has to play, either Jamaal Jackson or Kyle DeVan would move in at left guard, or Jackson would move to center, with Jason Kelce moving to left guard.

But Reid hasnt given up on Dunlap quite yet.

If hes feeling like he can play, then hell play, Reid said.

If Herremans lines up on the left side, hell face Orakpo and Justice will draw Kerrigan.

Kerrigans a real good player, Herremans said. Hes more of a power rusher. You watch him and hes getting off the ball and trying to get you on your heels and get your weight rolling and then he just kind of plows into you.

Orakpo is a really, really good player. He just has an arrangement of moves that he can give you. He can bull you if he wants. He can rip upfield or he can come underneath. Hes a little faster than Kerrigan, but Kerrigan gets off the ball real well, too.

What Howard keeps preaching to us, its not about what they do, its about what we do.

Reid said Justice has looked better and better each week, but its clear the Eagles would prefer not to play him quite yet if they dont have to.

The last we saw of Justice, Reid was benching him in the playoffs against the Packers as he hobbled around ineffectively on his damaged knee. Dunlap replaced him, and the Eagles immediately drove down the field for a touchdown and nearly a second one.

By the time the lockout ended and Justice reported to Lehigh, he had lost his starting job at right tackle.

Being injured is tough, but its part of playing football, Justice said. When we sign up you know one day you might get injured and I was injured. It didnt heal as fast as I wanted to but thats the luck of the draw.

Justice played on a high level at right tackle in 2009 and had a good first half last year before the knee began affecting his play.

I think hes getting more and more comfortable, Herremans said. It looks like hes got his punch and everything still. He looks comfortable.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com