In August, Winston Justice was a player in limbo. Now he figures heavily into the Eagles' future plans.

The team signed Justice, who has filled in nicely for Shawn Andrews at right tackle, to a four-year contract extension. Justice potentially was set to hit the unrestricted free-agent market if the owners and players' union agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement by March. Otherwise, Justice would have been a restricted free agent.

A second-rounder in 2006, Justice was best-known for allowing 3½ sacks against the Giants in an emergency fill-in job in 2007 for then-Eagles OLT Tra Thomas. Justice hadn't fulfilled his expectations after entering the draft out of USC as a junior until this season, when he has been a rock at right tackle.

With Andrews' back problems casting a shadow over his career, Justice figures to be the favorite to start at right tackle again next season.