Wide receiver Reggie Brown was inactive for Sunday's season opener against the St. Louis Rams. Without Brown, due to a hamstring, and Kevin Curtis (sports hernia), the Eagles started Hank Baskett and rookie DeSean Jackson. Jackson was the fourth rookie to start on opening day in the Andy Reid era (guard John Welbourn, defensive tackle Corey Simon and guard Shawn Andrews) and the first rookie wide receiver to start on opening day since Calvin Williams in 1990.
Also inactive for the Eagles were quarterback A.J. Feeley (3rd QB), linebacker Joe Mays, defensive end Bryan Smith, tackle WInston Justice, guard Mike McGlynn and defensive end Victor Abiamiri.
As Jackson makes his NFL debut for the Eagles, the first wide receiver selected in this year's NFL Draft did not. Donnie Avery was sidelined with a knee injury. Also inactive for the Rams were quarterback Brock Berlin (3rd QB), fullback Brian Leonard, safety Brannon Condren, linebacker David Vobora, guard Roy Schuening, tackle John Greco and defensive end Eric Moore.
In the starting lineup, Ron Bartell started at right cornerback for Fakhir Brown; Nick Leckey started at center for Brett Romberg and Dan Kreider started at fullback for Leonard.
