The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Monday what so many have dreaded for weeks. Star wide receiver DeSean Jackson will have surgery for a core muscle injury that has nagged him since a Week 2 in Atlanta.
Without Jackson, the Eagles have struggled to push the ball downfield and on Monday, head coach Doug Pederson hinted at the team making changes at the position.
“At this point, it’s something we’ll take a look at. We have to take a look at it, obviously. It’s real.” Pederson said. “We’re sort of at the halfway point, a little over a game over the halfway point of our season and we have time this week to make these decisions.”
With the Eagles on a bye week and 13 days away from their next game, against New England at home, here are six wideouts the Eagles could consider adding to the roster.
Michael Crabtree
The 32-year-old Crabtree was cut by the Arizona Cardinals earlier this year and has his issues with drops. Crabtree does have big-play potential, though, and has caught 637 passes for 7,499 yards and 54 receiving touchdowns in his career.
Dez Bryant
The former Cowboys star signed with the New Orleans Saints last year but was lost for the season after suffering an Achilles tear. Bryant hasn’t played in two years and was on the decline before getting cut by the Cowboys.
Greg Ward
The Eagles can slide Ward into the slot for extra depth, which would free up Nelson Agholor to work on the outside. Ward has been with the Eagles for the past three years and he knows the system.
J.J. Nelson
A wideout in the same mode as Jackson, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound Nelson was released by the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 10 and is viewed around the NFL as a solid down-the-field threat. Nelson had 508 receiving yards just two seasons ago.
Jordan Matthews
Matthews can catch the ball and last season, while appearing in 14 games (three starts) with the Eagles, he had 20 catches for 300 yards and two TDs. Signed by the 49ers in the offseason, Matthews was cut, re-signed and cut again. Matthews knows the Eagles and has a special relationship with Carson Wentz.
Marken Michel
Michel played in 11 regular-season games for the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL, catching 31 passes for the 435 yards with five touchdowns. Michel signed with the Eagles during the offseason and had some bright moments before being one of the final cuts.
