After missing five games with a thumb injury that forced him to short-term Injured Reserve, rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor wasted no time making his presence felt in Sunday night's 23-9 NFC East win over Dallas at Lincoln Financial Field. It certainly appears that it will be a harbinger of things to come for the talented Reagor.
He had five touches in Sunday's victory – three receptions for 16 yards, a 6-yard run, and a two-point conversion reception. It wasn't a bad night at all for a player who had missed five games with the left thumb injury.
"It was a blessing," Reagor said after his first NFL game in front of fans. "Patience is key and I believe what's for you is for you, so it was a blessing and it was surreal, a surreal moment."
Reagor, the product from TCU playing against the Cowboys from nearby in Dallas, started the game and played the whole way on the outside along with Travis Fulgham, with Greg Ward in the slot, and John Hightower mixing in. He caught his scoring pass to cap a 10-play, 83-yard drive to give the Eagles a 7-3 advantage in the first quarter. On a second-and-goal play from the Dallas 2-yard line, Reagor went in motion from left to right in the formation and Carson Wentz faked a handoff to running back Boston Scott and then sprinted out to his right. He threw to Reagor in the flat and Reagor made the catch and just broke the plane of the goal line as he absorbed a hit from cornerback Trevon Diggs.
"It just felt good to be back," Reagor said. "A lot of work to do, more reps to get, and just try to build on this win."
Reagor joins a young-and-on-the-rise group of wide receivers who continued to play well against Dallas. Travis Fulgham had six receptions for 78 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, along with drawing a pass-interference penalty, on seven targets. Greg Ward added three receptions for 10 yards. John Hightower, a deep threat who made big plays the last couple of weeks, was shut out on three targets, but he's showing weekly improvement.
And Wentz, who struggled in this game, knows he's building valuable chemistry with the young receiving corps. The best is yet to come for this group.
"I'm really excited about them. I feel like I've been talking about them quite a bit this year with how they've developed ever since camp," Wentz said. "It's hard to be a young guy, a rookie, or like Travis – a second-year guy – and be thrust into playing right away. Especially with really no offseason. Every week is great learning for them and they're getting better by the week. Those guys are making great plays along with our tight ends and Greg in the slot and different guys are stepping up. I'm excited to keep building off what they've done so far and keep getting better."
