Reid Won't Speculate On Status Of Jackson, Maclin
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- Eagles coach Andy Reid was ignoring reports on Sunday that wide receiver DeSean Jackson would end his holdout and report to training camp on Monday, as various media outlets have indicated.
"We'll see," Reid said. "I haven't really focused on that. I haven't talked to him. If he's here, more power to him. If he's not, like I told you before, my focus is to make sure that I get the guys that are here coached up."
Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler, will earn $565,000 this season, the last on his four-year rookie deal. If he does not report by Tuesday, he stands to lose a year of service time toward free agency.
He caught 47 passes for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns last year, and his 22.5 yard-per-catch average was best in the NFL. He also averaged 11.6 yards on 20 punt returns, including a 65-yarder for a touchdown that beat the Giants on the last play of a Dec. 19 game in the Meadowlands.
Philadelphia's other starting wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, is in camp but unable to practice because of an undisclosed illness. Reid said Maclin is still undergoing tests, and would not speculate when he might return. He had previously said that he expected to have Maclin in time for the Sept. 11 season opener in St. Louis.
Maclin led the Eagles with 70 receptions last year.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the team's biggest free agent signing, was among those who did not practice on Sunday because of what Reid described as upper-leg inflammation.
Defensive end Trent Cole also sat out because of elbow bursitis. Neither condition is believed to be serious.
The Eagles continue to be without starting defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who had a seizure during drills on Wednesday. No timetable has been set for his return. Offensive tackle Winston Justice (knee) has missed all of training camp, and defensive tackle Trevor Laws is out with a hip injury.
Safety Nate Allen returned to practice Sunday. He missed most of last season with a knee injury and was held out of Saturday's drills for precautionary reasons.
Veteran wide receiver Jason Avant provided the day's biggest highlight on the field, making a spectacular diving catch of Michael Vick's pass for a touchdown, despite the coverage of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Cornerback Asante Samuel, the subject of trade speculation, had earlier intercepted a pass by backup QB Mike Kafka and returned it for a would-be TD, eliciting loud cheers from the fans.
Reid liked what he saw from his players on Sunday.
"The last couple days the guys have been pushing themselves through," Reid said. "We've kind of hit that time when it's hot and humid. Bodies are tired. Minds are tired. They're pushing themselves through. Today was probably the toughest of all days for them physically, and I thought they handled it well."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
