Earlier in this NFL offseason, Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff that he played through all of the 2017 season.
The expectations were that he would be ready to give it a go before the start of the regular season as he had the operation done accordingly so that he could be on the field in September. However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that Jeffery may not be ready to be taken off the physically unable to perform list in time for the season opener that would force him to miss the first six games of the year. (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk)
Jeffery, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, could stay on the PUP list at the start of the regular season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
By rule, any player who is on the PUP list at the start of the regular season must miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
This would be a significant void in the passing game that the Eagles would be without for the first six weeks of the season. Although his production was down from his usual status, Jeffery proved to be a vital part of the passing game that saw him be a legitimate deep-ball and red zone threat while his play picked up in the playoffs recording 12 catches for 219 receiving yards with three touchdowns in the three games played.
His presence alone in the passing game makes a significant difference as it opens up the field dramatically for his teammates while allowing for the offense to operate more efficiently. Jeffery's possible absence would mean that the Eagles would rely more heavily on Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz along with wide receivers Nelson Agholor and offseason addition Mike Wallace.
At this point, it is a situation that the Eagles will continue to monitor over the coming weeks ahead of the start of the 2018 season.
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