While Jeremy Maclin's absence from Eagles camp has hurt his ability to acclimate himself into the team's offense and get used to the speed of the NFL game, it has also opened some opportunities for some other young receivers to get some extra valuable reps. The one player who has made the most of that opportunity, according to Andy Reid, is sixth-round draft pick Brandon Gibson.

"You've seen Gibson in there getting reps, (the young receivers) have all just rotated through on that," Reid said. "But of the young guys, Gibson I'd say is getting the quality reps there."

"I hope so," Gibson said, when asked if he thought he had made a positive impression in camp so far. "There's nothing I can really do but give it my 100 percent effort, just take advantage of every rep I get. With Jeremy not being here, I think the coaches really want to get a good look at me and see what I can do. I'm just trying to take it one play at a time and do the best I can."

In addition to working in with the second-team offense, Gibson also lined up deep to rotate with Danny Amendola and Lorenzo Booker as a kickoff returner.

"I did a little bit of that in college, and maybe at one point I can get in here, but they have a lot of horses, so I highly doubt I will," Gibson said. But he's willing to do anything that will help him make the team, he added.

Gibson returned to practice yesterday after missing practice on Tuesday with a minor foot injury, which he said is no longer a concern. The rookie wide receiver from Washington State was also excited to finally get the pads on again after a long offseason.

"Yeah, I was excited, it's been awhile. You know, during the whole draft process, you don't get in pads," he said. "I think I've done OK. I've got more work to do, things to prove, and I'm just out here trying to have fun."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 4:56 p.m., July 31