Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Alshon Jeffery is done for the season. The Eagles will have to rely on backups and rookies for their playoff push.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Jeffery’s foot injury is serious and the team has decided to shut the oft-injured receiver down for the year. Thus ends a very disappointing season for the Eagles’ top pass-catcher.
The good news? Jeffery’s injury was a lot worse than the one Lane Johnson suffered. It appeared to be an ACL or MCL tear at first glance. Maybe not.
“Alshon is a little more significant (than injured RT Lane Johnson). I am waiting on one more test result later this afternoon,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said during his media availability. “It’s a little more significant with him, and then we have to do a course of action, a plan with him here pretty soon, probably.”
Obviously, those additional test results were troublesome. Rookie J.J. Arcega-Whiteside will take over his starting role in the lineup, with Nelson Agholor (assuming his knee is healthy) moving to the other outside spot. Greg Ward will manage the slot.
Eagles Could Look to Practice Squad for WR Depth
The Eagles will most likely make a corresponding roster move to call up either Marken Michel or Robert Davis from the practice squad. They could also decide to continue to use Joshua Perkins as a wide receiver.
Not exactly a surprise but source with knowledge of #Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery’s injury status says his season is over. They’re still gathering opinions about what exactly is wrong with his foot but he’s done for the year.
Pederson didn’t seem too concerned about his lack of depth at the position. Remember, the Eagles had only two active wide receivers available for the majority of Monday night’s win over the Giants. They relied on no-namers, guys like Boston Scott, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and almost threw backup quarterback Josh McCown in at receiver.
Boston Scott, Greg Ward, Josh Perkins, JJ Arcega-Whiteside combined for 228 yards of offense
With Alshon Jeffery out, they’ll have to add a pass-catcher from somewhere.
“At wide receiver, we definitely have a couple guys on practice squad if we need to make a move,” Pederson said. “Obviously, as you know, we could look outside the building if we need to. We’re going to work through that today and try to get something in place here pretty quick, and we’re back on the field tomorrow.”
Jeffery’s Restructured Contract for 2020
The Eagles are invested in Alshon Jeffery for three more years, including a whopping $12.75 million guaranteed in 2020. The Eagles restructured the wide receiver’s deal at the beginning of the season in an effort to ensure he would remain in Philadelphia.
It’s no secret that Jeffery has disappointed and his production is on a steady decline. He has 43 receptions for 490 yards in 10 games this year while accumulating 2,122 receiving yards on 165 catches during three seasons in Philadelphia.
No surprise here: Alshon Jeffery is officially DONE for the year. Now comes the hard part of sorting out his contract situation and trying to clear cap space for next season. #Eagles need to add a play-making WR somehow.
However, a bitter divorce broke out midseason and now the team will likely look for an injury clause. Jeffery has been a team cancer, thanks to rumors of illicit sources, while injuries and dropped passes have slowed his production. He’s no longer the player he once was and the Eagles need to supply Carson Wentz with weapons right now. ASAP.
Can they get out of Jeffery’s contract? Probably not, unless there was a specific clause for injury. Otherwise, he’ll remain on the books until 2022 and they would risk absorbing a cap hit of $15.69 million in 2020 and $18.53 million in 2021.
Their only option would be to pursue a trade with a desperate team. The Eagles could certainly find a taker for a semi-productive possession receiver, only probably not one that would take on his huge contract. Jeffery signed a four-year and $52 million deal with the Eagles in 2017, according to SpoTrac.
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Eagles Leading WR Officially Out for Year: Report