Eagles Depth at Wide Receiver Is Gone

Brown will see significant time thanks to Curtis' knee.


During the offseason, everyone in Philadelphia was excited about the depth that the Eagles had at the wide receiver position. But now they've traded away Greg Lewis to the Patriots, cut Hank Baskett, Danny Amendola was signed off the practice squad, and now they've traded away their sixth-round pick, Brandon Gibson, in a trade for Will Witherspoon.

Now, only two years removed from a 1,000 yard season, Kevin Curtis is looking at never again playing for the Eagles after having his knee scoped. The surgery could, and probably should, end his season.

There's still a shot he could come back for the last few weeks of the season and the playoffs, but it's a small chance and isn't worth a roster spot.

So now with Curtis' injury, the Eagles only have four healthy receivers in DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, and Reggie Brown. It's a good foursome to have, as I believe Jackson and Maclin can become a formidable duo, Avant is a good slot receiver, and while Brown hasn't lived up to expectations, there might not be a better fourth receiver.

It's not saying a whole lot, but it's there.

If Brown can contribute with even just two or three receptions per game, he would have done his job and can really help the offense. As long as he doesn't drop passes, he can't exactly hurt the offense by being out there.

The Eagles have only had four or five active receiver at any point this season anyway, so it's not too big of a deal. It only becomes a problem if one of these guys were to go down at some point this season.

The offense can compensate during the game just by putting in both of their athletic tight ends, or lining up either Brian Westbrook or LeSean McCoy at receiver, but it's not a situation they want to be in.

Not having depth at any position is always something that could keep really come back to hurt any team. The only thing they can do is hope nothing serious happens to any four of these guys.

Don't laugh too hard, but the hope around town is that the lack of receivers will result in less three and four receiver sets, and will force Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to use their two very talented running backs to actually run the football.

It's a long-shot, but we can always hope.

And just to nip these rumors in the bud, the Eagles will not even think about bringing in a veteran wide receiver. They feel like they could compensate with another tight end or one of their backs if an injury were to occur, and if Curtis, and Omar Gaither for that matter, do wind up on IR, they're roster spots will be used on practice squad players.

On gameday, it will just mean that guys like Joe Mays and Jason Babin are active and at least dressed instead of just showing up for the great sideline seats.

In other words, all of the unemployed receivers can stop hovering over the phone, you won't be getting a call from the 215 area code this season.