Philadelphia Eagles News: Injuries Already Tearing a Fairytale Season Apart?

First Brian Westbrook's ankle starts acting up again, which wasn't completely unexpected for the ageing star. Then during training camp, Shawn Andrews and Jason Peters are sidelined with two injuries which don't look all that serious. And on Sunday night Stewart Bradley injured his knee and Ellis Hobbs suffered a spine injury, better known as a stinger.

Looking forward to the regular season, this can't be good news for Eagles fans. If players are getting injured this early in the season how will they cope in the regular season? Sure all of the players should be back and playing again at full health by that time, but what if they aren't?

At starting running back if Westbrook is unable to play is LeSean McCoy. In his rookie season scouting reports say he is great in the passing game but could be lacking in the running game. Another worry held by experts is that he might not be able to perform at this high level.

However, with the Eagle's offense set up for a stable passing attack, he should be able to step into Westbrook's shoes fairly well. It won't be easy, and the first few games he starts could be scary, but Eagles fans should put more trust into Reid's rookies.

If Stewart Bradley is out for any games, in steps either Joe Mays or Charleston Hughes. Both players could contribute to the defense reasonably well, however they won't be able to put up the numbers of Bradley. If Bradley does get injured again, there could be problems for the Eagle's defense, and Sean McDermott could be in for a rough year stopping the run.

If these players do get injured the projected playoff run for the Eagles could be more shallow than once thought, and if the second and third string players don't step up to the challenge, the playoffs could look far away to Philadelphia.

However, I only see these injuries effecting players during the preseason, after all they have just got back from a few months off and they may have not yet adjusted to the workload. As long as LeSean McCoy works hard during the preseason, the Eagles' offense should be fine, and the defense will need to continue to work on finding a leader without Dawkins, as well as adjusting to a new coordinator, but I still see the Eagles with 10 wins or more.