The Philadelphia Eagles have lost wide receiver Jeremy Maclin for the 2013 season after he tore his right ACL during 7-on-7 drills and there was also fear that the MCL also got torn, fortunately the MCL is fine according to reports.
Desean Jackson said “He just came off the line of scrimmage, and his knee buckled a little bit. It’s an unfortunate situation.”
Quarterback Michael Vick added “Usually when a guy falls like that, there’s something to be worried about.”
For first-year head coach Chip Kelly the loss of Maclin is costly as he averaged 65 receptions, 863 yards and 7 touchdowns in his four years in the NFL after being drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft out of Missouri. During the 2010 season he and Desean Jackson made up one of the more dangerous tandems at wide receiver.
As Maclin caught 70 passes for 964 yards, a long of 83, averaged 13.8 yards per reception and 10 touchdown receptions and Jackson caught 47 passes for 1,056 yards, a long of 91, averaged 22.5 yards per reception and had 6 touchdown receptions. Over the past two seasons Vick has struggled with turnovers and staying healthy making the duo not nearly as effective as the 2010 season.
Now the Eagles have three options signing one is to go after veteran free agent Brandon Lloyd who has yet to get signed even after a season in which he had 911 yards and 74 receptions, another option is to wait to see what receiver gets cut during the preseason or late in camp or hope that another receiver on the roster will step up in Maclin’s absence such as B.J. Cunningham, Damaris Johnson or Arrelious Benn.
Kelly could also utilize the running game more with LeSean McCoy, Bryce Brown and second-year back Chris Polk and if Vick wins the starting job he might get the ability to run with the football more in an uptempo offense.
Still losing Maclin before the season starts is a major blow for the Eagles as there’s no other receiver besides Jackson that produces like he did.
As for Maclin he thanked fans for their support on Twitter.
Appreciate all the love and support twitter fam….sad day but I have setbacks my entire life. Minor setback … http://t.co/DiFGrrmI5D
— Jeremy Maclin (@jmac_18) July 27, 2013
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