The Eagles made it official on Friday that they won't have DeSean Jackson for this Sunday's game against Tennessee. The team will be without its most explosive playmaker, but it doesn't have to mean that the Eagles will struggle to put points on the board Sunday. Here's a look at some of the players who will have to step up in Jackson's absence.
QB Kevin Kolb - After Jackson was injured early in the second quarter of last week's game, Kolb was 17 of 21 for 240 yards with two touchdowns in Jackson's absence. The Eagles only punted twice the entire game thanks in large part to some of clutch throws on third down by Kolb. The Eagles were 7 of 14 on third down against the Falcons. Kolb finished the game with an eye-staggering 133.6 QB rating.
WR Jeremy Maclin - When the Falcons thought they might have had a chance to climb back into the game, Maclin shut the door with his 83-yard touchdown reception - his second score of the game. Maclin finished with seven catches for 159 yards and he certainly has developed into an outstanding receiver in his own right.
RB LeSean McCoy - After Jackson and Maclin were taken out of the game by the defense in the Redskins game, it was McCoy's show as he caught 12 passes and accumulated over 100 all-purpose yards. Last week, after Jackson's injury, the Falcons dropped an extra safety but McCoy toughed out 64 yards on the ground - again with a rib injury.
TE Brent Celek - Celek had four catches for 46 yards last week and was crucial in helping move the chains. Kolb has tried to connect with Celek down the middle of the field on the seam route, but the two haven't been able to make it work yet. This could be the week. Celek also has a touchdown in two of the last three games.
WR Jason Avant - Avant is expected to be on the outside in two-receiver sets and inside when the Eagles go three-wide. Avant had five catches for 62 yards last week and proved to be a viable option once Jackson was injured. Avant's biggest catch against the Falcons was a 21-yard reception when the Eagles were backed up deep in their own territory.
WR Riley Cooper - Cooper has basically missed all of the last three games after he suffered a concussion early against the Redskins. Even though he's coming off the long absence, Cooper is expected to make an impact as an outside receiver when Avant goes in the slot. Cooper has great size, good hands and deceptive speed. The question is how much rust will he have?
WR Chad Hall - Hall had two touches - a run and a catch - for a total of 10 yards, but he was targeted on three other pass attempts. The Eagles showed last week that they are not afraid to give him the ball.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:00 p.m., October 23
