Jackson, Maclin progressing but still questionable for Sunday

The Eagles began practice Friday with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin running in individual drills. The team's top two wide receivers wore full practice gear and were partial participants in practice, a contrast to a day earlier when both stood on the side.

Friday could be considered a day of progress in Maclin's recovery from a hip injury and Jackson's recovery from a hamstring injury. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

"We'll see how they are by game time," coach Andy Reid said.

Reid added that Jackson and Maclin were running "OK." Reid limited the work that both received and said they did "a decent job with things that they were given, which wasn't much."

Maclin, who suffered a hip pointer and hip flexor strain last week, said after practice that he was going to play. Of course, he's not the one who makes that decision, but his optimism did not seem unfounded.

"I feel like nothing [is holding me back] right now," Maclin said. "But you still want to be careful. Obviously, the injury's still there. As long as you can tolerate the pain, you can be all right."

Jackson was unavailable for comment.

When asked if one was closer than the other to playing, Reid said, "They are both right around the same there."

Their recoveries are critical to the Eagles, because Maclin and Jackson are central to the team's offense. One week after throwing four interceptions, quarterback Michael Vick needs his top targets on the field, even though he offered praise for the Eagles' other targets.

"The guys that we have out there now are working extremely hard and they understand the offense and what we're trying to get accomplished," Vick said. "That's all you can ask for right now. Hopefully, DeSean and Jeremy will be out there."

Reid said the Eagles have a plan if they are not going to play, even if that plan limits the team to three healthy receivers: Jason Avant, Damaris Johnson and Mardy Gilyard. Riley Cooper (collarbone) has already been ruled out for Sunday's game. But Reid did not want to think that way, insisting that he is staying positive and hoping Jackson and Maclin play.

"We have to approach the game the same way," Vick said. "Regardless of who's out there, just play. One guy goes down, two guys go down, someone has to step up."

The absence of Jackson or Maclin most affects Avant, who would take more snaps and see increased attention. Avant works best navigating the middle of the field out of the Eagles' slot, where he can play against an inside cornerback or find his spot in a zone.

Avant does not expect the Ravens to alter their defense even if the Eagles' top receivers are missing.

"What makes them good is they do it over and over again," he said. "I don't think they'll change their game plan based on who's playing or who's not playing. They'll be them."

But there's reason to be excited about Jackson and Maclin, especially because they were more active in practice on Friday than Thursday. Maclin's status appeared cloudiest earlier in the week, but he continued to progress. He prides himself on playing despite injuries, and he has a chance to do it this week.

"If you ask anybody in the NFL throughout the course of the season what the injury rate is, I think it's 100 percent," Maclin said. "It's just who's hurt more."