The Philadelphia Eagles may be without both DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery for their Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday, meaning that other players will have to step up.
Enter rookie wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside, who had an impressive preseason and may now have to carry the load this Sunday:
“I’m ready,” Arcega-Whiteside said, via the Eagles' team website. “That’s what I’ve dreamed about. That’s why I’m here, to help this team win.”
Arcega-Whiteside, who played his collegiate football at Stanford, was selected by the Eagles in the second round (57th pick overall) of the NFL Draft back in April.
He has logged just one catch in two NFL games, but Philadelphia loves Arcega-Whiteside's talent, with head coach Doug Pederson raving about him all summer.
The 22-year-old arrived at Stanford in 2015 but did not begin to earn playing time until 2016, when he caught 24 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that up by snaring 48 balls for 781 yards and nine scores during his junior campaign.
Then, in his senior year, Arcega-Whiteside broke out, hauling in 63 receptions for 1,059 yards while reaching the end zone 14 times.
Both Jackson and Jeffery suffered injuries during the Eagles' Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, with Jackson sustaining an abdominal strain and Jeffery being hit with a calf strain.
It's not looking like either wide out will be available against the Lions, which means that Nelson Agholor, Arcega-Whiteside and Mack Hollins seem set to be the club's top three receivers this weekend.
Philadelphia has gotten off to a 1-1 start on the season.
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