National Football League

Eagles work with patched offensive line, injuries

Published Sep. 11, 2014 3:49 a.m. ET

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Wednesday it's likely any combination of players could start on the offensive line when Philadelphia plays the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.

With four of the Eagles' top seven linemen out for different reasons, the team has had to make several moves going into the second week of the regular season.

Right tackle Alan Barbre, who was starting in place of the suspended Lane Johnson, is out for the year with an ankle injury suffered in the team's opening-day win over Jacksonville. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Left guard Evan Mathis also suffered a knee injury in the game and was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return. He will be out at least eight weeks. And backup Matt Tobin, who was pushing Barbre for the right tackle spot before suffering a sprained ankle in the preseason, is still bothered by the injury and will likely miss Monday's game in Indianapolis.

The Eagles played the second half against the Jaguars with journeyman Andrew Gardner at right tackle and backup center David Molk at left guard.

''It's rare to lose two guys in a game,'' Shurmur said before Wednesday's practice. ''But the guys that went in did well, and that's because of the way we prepare.''

The Eagles signed veteran guard Wade Smith on Tuesday. He was with Houston last year and was signed and released by Seattle this summer. Philadelphia also promoted undrafted rookie Kevin Graf from the practice squad.

''All of the guys are possible (to start),'' Shurmur said. ''Anyone can start. There could be any combination of guys in there.''

The likely combination is Jason Peters at left tackle; Dennis Kelly, who was inactive last week, at left guard; Jason Kelce at center; Todd Herremans at right guard; and Gardner, the former Dolphin and Texan, at right tackle.

Herremans could also move out to right tackle, a position he started at in 2011 and 2012, but Shurmur said that's not in the current plans.

''Todd did a good job (at tackle),'' the coordinator said. ''But he's a guard right now.''

Smith and Molk will likely be the top backups.

''Wade is a veteran guy,'' Shurmur said. ''He's sharp. He's picking things up quickly. He's a pro. He's been to a Pro Bowl. He's been in a zone (blocking) scheme before. He's displayed to us he'll get himself up quickly. So we'll see.''

Shurmur also likes what he has seen from Kelly, who was a top backup for the Eagles in 2012, but had a back injury curtail his progress last season.

''He's developed a lot, especially near the end of training camp,'' Shurmur said. ''He's a guy who can play guard or tackle and can pass protect and run block equally. If he has to play guard for us, he'll do a good job.''

A makeshift offensive line is not the best recipe for victory going into a loud, indoor stadium on a Monday night, but the Eagles don't have a choice.

''On the road, on a roof, in a parking lot, it doesn't matter,'' Shurmur said. ''We have injuries, the next guy is going to have to step up and play.''