Wide receiver Reggie Brown did not participate in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury. The injury has led to questions as to whether rookie DeSean Jackson would start Sunday in the season opener against the St. Louis Rams. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that with Brown day-to-day, there is a good chance that Jackson could start.
"Reggie is day-to-day right now, so DeSean will start at the front flanker it looks like," Mornhinweg said.
After Thursday's practice, Jackson spoke with reporters and implied that he expects to start. Jackson wouldn't mind exacting revenge on the team that was the first to select a receiver in the 2008 NFL Draft. Obviously, it wasn't Jackson. It was Kevin Kolb's former target, Donnie Avery out of Houston. The Rams picked Avery with the 33rd overall selection.
"It's one of those teams that I feel like kind of told me that they wanted me and all this stuff. But with being young and knowing how the process goes, I kind of understand now," Jackson said. "But I definitely have that in the back of my mind."
Ironically, the Rams may not have Avery's services available for Sunday's game. Avery did not participate in practice for the second-straight day because of a knee injury.
The Eagles' second-round pick out of Cal was one of the best receivers in the preseason. He was second in the NFL in receptions with 16 for 189 yards. He also had the most punt return yardage of any player in the NFL in the preseason with 125 on 10 returns, one of which was returned 76 yards for a score. Mornhinweg has high expectations for Jackson, even though he's only a rookie.
"I would expect him to play at a high level on a consistent basis. We'll leave it right there. I would expect him to get better every week during this season," Mornhinweg said.
The only other two players to miss Thursday's practice were defensive end Victor Abiamiri (wrist) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (sports hernia). Both players were ruled out for Sunday's game by head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday.
The following players all had full participation in Thursday's workout: running back Lorenzo Booker (hip), defensive end Chris Clemons (calf), safety Sean Considine (hand) and free safety Brian Dawkins (ankle). Guard Max Jean-Gilles was removed from Thursday's injury report.
For the Rams, cornerback Fakhir Brown (shoulder), fullback Brian Leonard (shoulder) and center Brett Romberg (hand) all had full participation in practice. Romberg had only limited participation in Wednesday's practice session.
