Nobody Worries About Runyan
Jon Runyan didn't practice Saturday, but his 190th successive start is a foregone conclusion to everybody, including Runyan.
Usually when an Eagle is listed as "questionable" and doesn't practice in the last workout of the week, there is concern over whether he will be able to take the field.
But when Andy Reid was asked yesterday about starting right offensive tackle Jon Runyan's status, Reid didn't even try to pretend there was any suspense.
Reid agreed that Runyan, bothered by right knee swelling, "most likely" will make his 190th successive NFL start, the league's third-longest streak, behind Brett Favre (266, going into the weekend) and Derrick Brooks (205). "He's a tough guy ... It'd be tough to hold him out."
Center Jamaal Jackson recalled that Runyan played most of last season with a painful tailbone injury.
"He's not going to miss this game," Jackson said. "He almost broke his a**bone last year and still played. He'll be all right."
"Yeah," Runyan said, when asked if he would take the field Monday night against the Browns. "I practiced on Wednesday. It hurt a little more than I expected. So we did it backawards this week -- practiced, then rested."
Runyan said he doesn't think much about the streak because, like everyone else, he just assumes he's playing.
"The way I approach it, I go out there every week, no matter what, to get on the field. I've been through some things most people wouldn't have played through. This isn't any different."
Runyan, 35, will be a free agent this offseason. Saturday, Reid wouldn't discuss Runyan's chances of returning, or even whether Reid thinks the reliable tackle will be able to continue his career a while longer. Runyan said he will play next season, somewhere.
Meanwhile, Brian Westbrook did not practice, with the Eagles moving back indoors to the harder turf surface Saturday, but Westbrook remains "probable" for Monday night.