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Eagles left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, had it surgically repaired, and then ruptured it again in May. Describing his offseason like that, you might think that it goes without saying that Peters won’t play until the 2013 season.

But Peters says that’s not necessarily the case. Asked by reporters today if he has realistic hopes of playing this season, Peters answered, “yeah.”

“I’m running, doing everything,” Peters said. “I’m taking it day by day.”

The Eagles put Peters on the non-football injury list, rather than injured reserve, so it’s still at least theoretically possible that he could return to the active roster this season. The Eagles have the option of allowing Peters to start practicing between Week Six and Week Nine and then putting him on the 53-man roster after three weeks of practice. Eagles coach Andy Reid is leaving open the possibility that that could happen, and that Peters could play in the postseason.

“It’s a long stretch,” Reid said. “But we haven’t ruled him out.”

It sounds like a major stretch. If Peters plays before the 2013 preseason, it would be one of the most surprising comebacks from an injury the NFL has ever seen.