Todd

Herremans

The Eagles announced the signing, curiously adding that the correct spelling of Bell’s name has been “Demetress” all along. Athletic but unreliable due to injury, Karl Malone’s son was arguably the best offensive lineman left on the market. Since Bell is insurance for Jason Peters (Achilles surgery), the reported $35 million deal is almost certainly front-loaded, with little money guaranteed beyond 2012. All 30 of Bell’s starts the past three years have come at left tackle, so Todd Herremans will likely remain on the right side.

The deal includes $11 million guaranteed, and locks Herremans up through 2016, when he will be 34. Herremans was switched from left guard to right tackle late in training camp last season, but held his own as Michael Vick’s blindside protector, allowing just four sacks. The Eagles will likely now turn their attention to locking up impending free agent LG Evan Mathis.

Herremans was injured while pulling around to the left. He tried jumping over a player on the ground and landed awkwardly on the ankle. Demetress Bell entered at right tackle while Herremans was helped off the field by trainers. The Philadelphia offensive line has struggled mightily while pass protecting, but the run game generated 105 yards in the first quarter.

“It’s not good,” one team official said. “It doesn’t look good at all. We’re still waiting for [more test results], but it looks bad.” The Eagles are already without LT Jason Peters, C Jason Kelce, and RG Danny Watkins. Michael Vick was sacked a season-high seven times Monday night by a Saints defense that had just 13 sacks through the first seven games. Free agent bust Demetress Bell is expected to fill in for Herremans.

It’s another blow to the Eagles’ anemic offensive line. Herremans’ absence left incompetent Demetress Bell on Michael Vick’s blindside and hideous pass protection ensued. The Eagles are already playing without their starting LT Jason Peters (Achilles), C Jason Kelce (knee) and RG Danny Watkins (ankle). Herremans is set for an MRI Tuesday to determine the severity of his injury.

The hits keep coming for the Eagles, who enter the second half of the season with neither their preferred left tackle nor right tackle. With LT Jason Peters (Achilles) unlikely to return, it means the Eagles are left with King Dunlap and free-agent bust Demetress Bell at tackle. Dunlap is expected to man Vick’s right (blind) side, with Bell filling-in at left. In the first year of a five-year contract with only one season guaranteed, the onus to step up is on Bell in a big way. The missed games will be Herremans’ first since 2009. After turning 30 last month, Herremans is signed through 2016. He’s expected to avoid surgery on the ankle.

Peters missed two games with what was deemed a “significant” hamstring injury, but should be back in the starting lineup this week. Todd Herremans was reportedly practicing at right tackle Monday, meaning it appears Winston Justice has been sent back to the bench.

Rookie Lane Johnson will be the right tackle and Jason Peters is back from injury to man the left side. Herremans started more than 70 games at left guard for the Eagles between 2006 and 2011, so it shouldn’t be a big transition. On paper, Philly is fielding one of the game’s most talented offensive lines.

“You wouldn’t know Jason Peters had an injury,” Stoutland said. He says the same is true of RG Todd Herremans (ankle). “These guys have done an unbelievable job rehabbing and taking care of themselves. They’re out there running around and it’s like nothing ever happened.” Peters has already declared himself 100 percent, while Herremans is expected to gain full clearance before camp.

Like many rookies, Johnson had to earn his stripes with the backups before getting a promotion. There’s no question that the No. 4 overall pick will be the Eagles’ starting right tackle. He’s part of an offensive line that oozes talent -- at least on paper. LT Jason Peters (Achilles), LG Evan Mathis (ankle surgery), C Jason Kelce (ACL tear) and RG Todd Herremans (foot) are all coming off serious injuries -- but each participated in Tuesday’s OTA practice.