Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been cleared for contact, an important hurdle in his gaining authorization to take the field on game day, as head coach Doug Pederson told reporters, including Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). However, it’s still unclear as to whether Jeffery will be available when Philadelphia faces Tennessee on Sunday.
Jeffery, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, participated in individual work last week but is now cleared for 11-on-11 sessions. The Eagles wanted quarterback Carson Wentz to get a week of full contact drills under his belt before being inserted into the starting lineup, and could conceivably take the same approach with Jeffery.
Jeffery, 28, originally signed a one-year, $9.5MM deal with the Eagles in the spring of 2017, but Philadelphia was impressed enough with his production to extend him on a four-year, $52MM pact in December. While Jeffery post a somewhat disappointing 57 receptions and 789 yards last year, he did manage to get into the end zone nine times (second-most of his career).
The Eagles’ wide receiver corps could desperately use Jeffery, especially after the club placed Mike Wallace on injured reserve last week. Philadelphia’s depth chart is currently comprised of Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, Kamar Aiken, and Shelton Gibson.
I would consider activating him and leaving him on the bench at first. Bring him in if we need him.
We need him.