Veteran offensive tackle Shawn Andrews will receive a pain-relief injection before Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins and it’s possible his lingering back injury could force him into retirement.

“Me and my body are talking it out right now,” Andrews said, according to the New York Post, when he was asked about playing beyond this season.

He made a remarkable return with the Giants this season but he’s undergone two back surgeries and at least 13 injections, including two epidurals, to play through the pain of a herniated disk. He’ll get a Toradol shot before the game.

"I have to time it right," Andrews said, per the report. "Two weeks ago, I got the shot just before kickoff and it didn't kick in until I got home."

Andrews missed three games earlier this season when the back issue was not manageable. He was all over the map in his interview.

“(Retirement) hasn't crossed my mind," Andrews said. "I think it's going to come down to them saying, 'Hey, get your stuff and get out of here.' "

Later, Andrews admitted it might be in the best interest of his long-term health for him to retire sooner rather than later. Hopefully, when he does walk away from the game the back isn’t a constant reminder of what went wrong.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune