King

Dunlap

He’ll undergo surgery this Tuesday. “We don’t know when he will return to the field and we will not speculate on a timeline,” coach Andy Reid said. “We are just going to let the surgical process and the rehabilitation process play itself out.” Nearly certain to begin the season on the PUP list, it’s a distinct possibility Peters won’t take the field in 2012. King Dunlap is the Eagles’ top in-house replacement, but they’ll host free agent LT Demetrius Bell for a visit this weekend.

The 6-foot-9 Dunlap started one game at left tackle and another at left guard last season before a November concussion sent him to the sidelines for a month. He’ll return as the swing tackle behind LT Jason Peters and RT Todd Herremans.

Beat writer Geoff Mosher hears it’s an Achilles injury suffered during a workout, but he’s still working to confirm the news and further details with his sources. Peters was arguably the NFL’s premier left tackle in 2011. Check back later for an update on his status.

Facing 9-12 months of rehab, Peters is certain to start the season on the PUP list -- if not miss the entirety of 2012. Graded as the best left tackle in football last season by Pro Football Focus as well as respected analysts, Peters is perhaps the team’s most valuable player outside of Michael Vick. His loss puts a dent in the fantasy prospects of both Vick and LeSean McCoy. Backup King Dunlap represents a weak link on an offensive line that figured to show continued improvement.

This should be interesting. With starter Evan Mathis (toe) down and ex-guard Todd Herremans excelling at right tackle, the Eagles are turning to the King. The problem is he’s 6-foot-9 and has been a liability at tackle in the past.

Mathis’ return to the lineup sends King Dunlap back to a reserve role and gives the offensive line a boost. Michael Vick took two sacks and cracked multiple ribs in last week’s ugly home loss to the Cardinals.

It’s now been three weeks since Dunlap was diagnosed with a concussion. He’s been inactive for three consecutive games. The Eagles may end up sending him to injured reserve now that the rest of the offensive line is healthy.

After filling in at left tackle for much of the first half of the season, Dunlap started at left guard in Sunday’s loss. Regular LG Evan Mathis is dealing with a case of turf toe, and it’s unclear if he’ll be available for Week 11. The situation should be updated later this week.

When the 6-foot-9 Dunlap was pressed into action at left guard due to Evan Mathis’ absence a few weeks back, things got ugly along the Eagles’ front line. He is now two weeks removed from his diagnosis, and the Eagles have no reason to push him right now.

Jason Peters’ season-ending Achilles’ tear leaves a massive hole in the Eagles’ offense. We fully expect Bell to win the job after the Eagles gave him $3.25 million guaranteed for the 2012 season, but his talent level doesn’t compare to Peters’. It’s an area of concern for the Eagles going into training camp.