Maclin returns home for testing
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Maclin returns home for testing
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has returned to his hometown of St. Louis to receive further testing as the Eagles attempt to identify an illness that has sidelined the 23-year-old, the team said.
Maclin has been at training camp for more than week but he has yet to practice. The most he has done on the practice fields is partake in light conditioning drills. Maclin recently said that he was getting better. Eagles coach Andy Reid said last week that he expected his starting wideout to be back by the start of the season.
But Maclin's leaving Philadelphia is cause for concern, especially after the Eagles went out and signed free agent receiver Steve Smith on Wednesday. Eagles sources said the Smith acquisition had nothing to do with Maclin's condition, but it is fair to surmise that the addition was at least for insurance purposes.
Smith is coming off microfracture knee surgery and isn't expected by the start of the season, although he and Eagles sources said the 26-year-old could be back earlier that initially thought.
Maclin, meanwhile, has exactly a month before the start of the regular season. In April, he said he had lost 15 pounds after having "mono-like" symptoms in March. By May, he said he had gained all the weight back and looked to be completely healthy as he participated in informal team workouts.
However, when Eagles players were to report to camp on July 28 Maclin was missing. Reid said his absence was excused. Five days later Maclin showed up at Lehigh University. Reid later revealed that the receiver had been -- or was still -- ill.
Maclin looked noticeably thinner, although a team official said earlier this week that the Eagles' 2009 top pick was only two pounds below his normal playing weight. Still, the lack of information has led to Internet rumors that Maclin is suffering from a career-threatening disease. Last week, Maclin said "those crazy reports aren't true."
Last season, Maclin caught 70 passes for 964 yards and ten touchdowns.
Typo-In April, he said he had lost 15 months a month earlier after having "mono-like" symptoms.
I think you meant lost 15 lbs a month earlier....
— PhilliefaninAZ
I wonder what type of medical care he get in St Loius that he can't get in Philly?— Ohmy- I'm pretty sure the kid's Dad is a doc - thus the return home — PB9462
- Andy's ready to retire, book it. He's given himself the next two years to win it all. No one with that timeline is gonna let an injury to DJax (likely), or mysterious illnesses prevent him from doing this. BRAVO!
It would have been nice to have this approach YESTERDAY!!!!— jpjack44 - Why would he go to his hometown for more testing? Are there better hospitals in St. Louis than Phila? (doubt it) Think about it. My guess is he is done.— littlejoe
- The Eagles' bunker-like, no-information-whatsoever mentality is really maddening at times like this. I understand and respect a player's right to/need for privacy, but I'm skeptical that an information vacuum that breeds rumors and speculation is preferrable to whatever the truth is. This is where Andy & Co. justifiably earn their reputations for dishonesty and prevarication.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- Where's Dr. House when you need him?— hunglikeaton
- While I'm worried about his ability to play this season I'm more concerned for him. I'm just hoping that the dude is okay. Health first.— F. Harry Stowe
Comment removed.- @hunglikeaton...very good.— bearsfriend
- Good thing he spent that time during the lockout resting and not, you know, GOING TO ST. LOUIS FOR TESTS THEN.— Reggie Noble
- This might not be as bad as it seems. Jeremy Maclin is from Chesterfield, which is a half hour away from St. Louis. Maybe he's just getting a family doctor opinion. My guess is that he had mono. I had it and didn't know and was in a snowboarding accident where I lacerated my spleen. Mono makes certain organs enlarged and inflamed. Maybe he's just going to see if the inflammation has settled down.— colahead420
Hopefully he gains those 15 months in the next month. As long as he is monthly by the beginning of the season, all will be month. I just pray to month that it's not month or month; those would be monthstrostic.
As far as not disclosing the problem, there are health privacy laws that prevent AR from disclosing anything. It's not football related so it's nobody else's business. Anyway, I'm just stoked to finally see some month...er football, however error-filled it may be. M O N T H S....MONTHS!!— Mabus- individuals have privacy interests to be protected about health related issues...don't jump to a conclusion that the Eagles being clandestine.— retzlaff
- I just hope that JM is ok for his own sake.— adipaolo
