What to make of Jeremy Maclin's performance

It seemed that with Jeremy Maclin returning to the lineup last week against the New York Giants after missing the preceding game with a hip injury that Maclin would begin fulfilling the promise he seemed poised for this season.

Instead, Maclin recorded just one catch for seven yards. That prompted speculation of whether Maclin was fully recovered from the hip problem. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that was not the issue.

"I wouldn't say it was his hip that was bothering him," Reid said. "It was just how things fell. He had a few plays that were dialed up for him and they had that area covered with their zone coverage. So, you had to go a different direction. That was just by chance. Jeremy, he's fine. He had that one nice catch there that he ended up breaking to get us a first down. He's OK."

Maclin had a strong opener on Sept. 9, catching seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. That was also when he initially suffered the hip injury. After missing practice the following week, he managed to play against the Ravens on Sept. 16. Maclin finished with just one catch (a 23-yard touchdown) but left the game when he again hurt his hip.

After missing the Arizona game, he declared himself healthy for Sunday. Yet Maclin did not appear to get open the way he usually does -- nor the way the Eagles need him to this season.

"They did a little bit of everything," quarterback Michael Vick said. "They rolled the coverage at Jeremy a little bit. They really didn't try to take him away but things were just going in a different direction and Jeremy will have his moments and his days where he gets out there and he's productive for us. The thing is he can't get discouraged and [has] to keep fighting."

Pay attention to the way Maclin plays on Sunday. He appeared on the verge of recording his first 1,000-yard season this year, but nine catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns through the first four weeks won't get him there.