Eagles' Jason Babin expected to miss 2-3 weeks with calf strain

Jason Babin's calf strain will take two to three weeks of recovery, not the one week Eagles coach Andy Reid originally said it would take, a team source said Tuesday.

Babin could miss the entire preseason if the Eagles decide to proceed cautiously with the Pro Bowl defensive end. He should be healthy well before the season opener Sept. 9 at Cleveland, according to the source.

Babin injured his calf on Saturday during a one-on-one drill against tackle Todd Herremans on the first day of contact at training camp. Reid estimated on Sunday that he would be out for about a week. Babin's MRI was delayed a day, however, as the team's medical staff waited for a pill-size thermometer to exit his system.

The Eagles said Monday that the MRI confirmed the initial calf-strain diagnosis, but Babin's injury was deemed a more serious second-degree strain.

The Eagles are in no hurry to rush Babin back. The first preseason game against the Steelers is eight days away, and Babin will likely miss it. He could also miss the next one, at New England Aug. 20, and perhaps the third preseason game four days later at Cleveland.

Reid typically rests his starters in the preseason finale. The Eagles will host the New York Jets on Aug. 30.

Even with Babin sidelined the Eagles are deep at defensive end. Brandon Graham has taken most of the snaps with the first team, opposite Trent Cole, the last two days of practice. The Eagles also had defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins play some snaps at end because of their depth inside.

Rookie Vinny Curry, Darryl Tapp, and Phillip Hunt fill out the list of notable ends on the roster. Tapp and Hunt could be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Down two receivers, the Eagles signed Andrew Brewer, a United Football League wide receiver.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Brewer played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL in 2010 and 2011. The Nighthawks' general manager was Rick Mueller, now a player personnel executive for the Eagles. Brewer briefly caught passes from former Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia while playing for the Nighthawks.

The team made the move after Ron Johnson had season-ending surgery to repair a dislocated and fractured ankle Monday. The second-year receiver suffered the injury during Monday's practice and was placed on the waived/injured list, so he does not count against the 90-man roster.

His surgery was performed by Peter DeLuca, the Eagles' team physician, and Steve Raikin in Philadelphia.

Johnson was hurt two days after the Eagles had lost Riley Cooper for six weeks. The third-year receiver broke his left collarbone and had surgery Monday. The Eagles were down to 11 receivers after the injuries.

Brewer brings the number back to 12, but he can't practice with the team until Friday because of a rule in the new collective bargaining agreement.

After an off day the Eagles resume training camp Wednesday with an 8:15 a.m. walk-through and a 2:45 p.m. practice.