Maclin not practicing, Watkins starting and more
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Maclin not practicing, Watkins starting and more
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Jeremy Maclin was back at Eagles training camp.
That was the good news.
The not-so-good news was that he can't practice until he is cleared by doctors for an unspecified illness and that appears to still be a ways off.
"He's not done with his tests so the doctors are still looking at a few things," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He's up here, he's in good spirits, he looks good. He's able to do some conditioning things. ... From what he's gone through it looks like he's in good shape."
Maclin is visibly thinner than he was early in the summer when he was participating in informal workouts with other Eagles in Malton, N.J. He said then that he regained most of the weight he had lost a few months earlier after experiencing mono-like symptoms.
The Eagles wide receiver won't speak with reporters until he returns to practice. That could be some time.
-- Winston Justice doesn't appear to be any closer to getting back on the field, either. The Eagles tackle is recovering from off-season arthroscopic knee surgery and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform List.
Reid was asked why he was apparently behind in his recovery.
"His schedule was a little bit crazy because he was a player rep, so he was all over the place," Reid said, referring to Justice's role at the Eagles' union rep. "So I think it set back his rehab just a bit. He did a good job with the player rep part of it, but the lockout in his case, I don't think helped him with getting the rehab done on his leg that he needed to."
There's obviously some concern about his timetable for a return. The Eagles went out and signed tackle Ryan Harris, a former starting tackle for the Denver Broncos. He is expected to be in camp some time today.
"Harris is a good football player, we welcome him into the mix," Reid said. "Winston's just got to continue to rehab until he can get back."
King Dunlap opened camp as the starting right tackle, but Austin Howard has been there recently. New offensive line coach Howard Mudd has tinkered with his line at several positions.
"We're kind of mixing and matching people as we go here," Reid said. "We'll come up with the five by the time we come out of camp."
-- The Eagles were obviously elated to have their top pick in camp after a five-day holdout. Danny Watkins spent part of the morning practice already starting at right guard. He admitted that he has a lot of ground to make up.
"Today was one for the books," Watkins said.
Watkins said that he spent most of Tuesday -- his first full day up at Lehigh -- with Mudd and was glued to his side during Wednesday's practice.
"He's an encyclopedia of knowledge," Watkins said. "I don't think it could have been a better fit me coming here and working with him."
Watkins laughed when he was asked if he had to endure some razzing from the other offensive linemen because of his holdout.
"It's to be expected," he said.
Watkins is rooming with guard Todd Herremans, center Jamaal Jackson and fellow rookie guard Julian Vandervelde, who Watkins said he calls "The Kraut."
-- The recently-signed Ronnie Brown said what most had speculated -- he came to the Eagles because he wanted to be apart of a team that has a legitimate chance at winning the Super Bowl.
Brown spent most of his career as the Miami's lead running back. He won't get nearly that many carries with LeSean McCoy the Eagles' starter.
"At the end of the day, you want to win games," Brown said. "That's why you’re here. My ultimate goal at this level is to win a championship. I think I can do that here."
-- With Mike Patterson in the hospital after suffering a seizure, Trevor Laws out with a hip flexor, Cullen Jenkins still on the sidelines because of the NFL rule keeping free agents from practicing until Thursday or Friday and Brodrick Bunkley traded to Denver, the Eagles are short on defensive tackles.
"Do I have a concern about the shortage of defensive tackles? Yeah, I do," Reid said. "Realistically, we're short."
Defensive end Victor Abiamiri had been playing some inside but he was in the trainer's tent Wednesday for an unspecified injury.
-- Camp practice No. 6 and still no sign of wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
"I don't have an update for you," Reid said.
-- Kurt Coleman (ankle) was back at practice and running with the first team at strong safety.
I'm stunned Victor Abiamiri had an injury.— Tech_Triumph- The pickup of Ryan Harris is every bit as important than all of the other pickups. He will be a big upgrade from Justice. Look for Justice to get cut when camp ends. They would rather keep Dunlap and Howard as backups.— arrowamy
- I wonder if Vandervelde's told Watkins the name is Dutch, not German. Hey, as long as he learns his blocking schemes.— birdsfanNYC
- Interesting nugget of info. Karen Guregian, the Patriots beat reporter, just tweeted that the Eagles offered a deal to Randy Moss. He has filed his retirement papers. But all he has to do is refile to unretire. Wouldn't that be the cherry on this sundae of an offseason?— arrowamy
Comment removed.- Stop the madness!— Joe at the shore
- If the Moss deal is true, I hve to wonder if there isn't something more serious going on with Maclin.— pyleiton
- Funny - was just about to type "Moss" when I scrolled down.— mjb
- Lingering mono-like symptoms sounds like it might be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and that's not good news. Keeping my fingers crossed for Maclin.
- I don't want Justice/Howard/Dunlap to touch the field at all this year. Don't want the Birds season to go down the drain b/c of a less than 100% Justice, who already is decent-at-best when fully healthy. If the Eagles are interested in Moss, tells me this Maclin illness is more serious than they're letting on, which is why they're keeping quiet about what it is.
How bad do you think Laws' injury will be, I'm expecting big things from him this yr as a pass rusher w/ Jenkins?
Follow us on Twitter @JSportsBullies— jerseysportsbullies - Comment removed.
- DT is probably the biggest concern now. WR is a luxury, because Jackson will get there eventually, and they have enough wideouts to fill a team, with FAs knocking down the door to get in anyway. Need a depth DT for sure though, or one of the practice squad types is going to have to step up.— HandNik
- Blog is reporting a source that says it may be Lymphomia. Lets just hope thats a dose of irresponsible Journalism. http://www.wheresweems.com/?p=8902
.— brokerguy - Get better Maclin!!! Cronic FS can be treated with application of sunlight like lighting. That could be why he is on the field but not practising. Let's hope that is all it really turns out to be. As a cancer survivor I know how terrifying that possible diagnosis ( Lymphomia)can be and I would not wish it on anyone, not even a Giant, Cowboy or Redskin!— unbelieveable!
- Oh and a huge thumbs down to the idea of briging Randy Moss in even if he is willing to play the whole season for $1.92, we don't need his bad behavior on our practise field or in our lockerroom.— unbelieveable!
