MRI reveals torn ACL for Eagles' JaCorey Shepherd

JaCorey Shepherd, who has taken the most reps in the first week of Eagles training camp at first-team nickel corner, went down with a right knee injury Sunday. The Eagles announced on Monday morning that after an MRI, Shepherd has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, confirming earlier reporting by the Daily News that the ACL was the tean's concern.

Shepherd, 22, a sixth-round rookie from Kansas, has been a standout; his strong spring work helped make the team comfortable trading incumbent nickel corner Brandon Boykin to the Steelers.

Jaylen Watkins, a fourth-round draft pick in 2014 from Florida, got the nickel reps Sunday. Watkins told reporters that was the idea even before Shepherd went down, that coaches wanted a rotation.

Shepherd went over to cover Darren Sproles after the running back caught a swing pass during the Eagles' second and final public practice at Lincoln Financial Field. They collided at the sideline, Sproles seeming to lower his shoulder, Shepherd going down, Sproles staying on his feet.

"I kind of braced myself and I heard him holler and I don't know what happened," Sproles said. "I don't know."

"You don't want nobody to go down. We're all a team. We're going to need everybody now," Sproles said.

"I don't know if his foot got caught or what. I don't know."