Birds Might Just Wait Out Celek Injury
BETHLEHEM -- Brent Celek was present for Friday morning's walkthrough, which didn't mean that much, since it was, well, a walkthrough. But Eagles coach Andy Reid indicated Celek's knee "tweak," suffered during the first full-squad workout Thursday, probably won't mean the team will bring in another tight end right away.
Birds Might Just Wait Out Celek Injury
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Brent Celek was present for Friday morning's walkthrough, which didn't mean that much, since it was, well, a walkthrough. But Eagles coach Andy Reid indicated Celek's knee "tweak," suffered during the first full-squad workout Thursday, probably won't mean the team will bring in another tight end right away.
Reid specifically said there was no plan to bring in Jeremy Shockey, at this point. He said he and general manager Howie Roseman are looking at whether they need to bring in a TE, to take training camp reps, if nothing else, with just three on the roster other than Celek, but arguing against that possibility is the new rule madating a three-day "stepup" period for signees who haven't been in someone's camp this year -- if the Birds signed a tight end today, he couldn't practice for three days, by which time Celek might be close to returning. Reid said Celek could miss a few days to a week of practice.
"We've just got to weigh that out," Reid said. "Really, it's not going to help you tomorrow."
Reid noted the Eagles have an undrafted rookie fullback, Emil Igwenagu, who played tight end at UMass. He could take some reps.
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Reid agreed with Nnamdi Asomugha's assessment that Joselio Hanson's experience in the slot will make it hard for another corner, such as rookie Brandon Boykin, to take Hanson's job. But he wants Boykin to try. Reid fingered Boykin as the leader in the kick return battle right now, and undrafted rookie WR Damaris Johnson as the leader to return punts. To do that, of course, both players not only have to make the 53-man roster but do enough in the preseason to justify being active on game day at their respective positions.
"I just think [Hanson] is in a good place right now, mentally and physically," Reid said. "That showed in the OTAs."
And that's how it happens. You suffer an injury to your knee and as the body naturally over-compensates for that injury, it stresses another part of the body. For instance, a limp will relieve the pressure on a particular part of an injured leg, but will increase the stress on other parts of the injured leg, as well as healthy leg.
I love Celek, supported him when many others were dogging him for dropping passes (while he was injured), but the bottom line is WE NEED a starting tight end.
Wolf,, could be true or Harbor could become a STARTING TE,,, he was drafted for that purpose and has seem to have paid his dues. Can we see before "jumping ship" just what we are working with.— phillyroni- Still need a QB!!— osi is hurt boohoo
