Reporter makes concerning prediction regarding Eagles rookie WR Makai Lemon

Injuries, lack of production holding Makai Lemon back in training camp

Lemon is currently nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last handful of practices. Missing significant time during training camp would be a hindrance to any player — let alone to a rookie joining a new offense that is still being installed. Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has brought a new scheme to the team and Lemon’s absence has forced him to miss valuable reps.

With all the injuries and inactivity during his healthy practices, Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton isn’t even expecting Lemon to start to begin the regular season. 

“Lemon missed half the spring and so far half of training camp, and on the days he did practice he didn’t do a whole lot. It’s fair at this point to doubt that he will start, at least early in the season,” said Gowton.

Philadelphia’s general manager, Howie Roseman, spoke about a discussion he had with Lemon recently where he reminded him that cornerback Cooper DeJean missed most of his rookie training camp and still had an outstanding season. The Eagles need that to be the case here, because while the team’s other receivers have been productive in practice, the rookie has the most talent of anyone outside of Smith.

Eagles wideouts flashing potential despite inexperience

The Super Bowl LIX champions have gotten a pleasant surprise with how good wide receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Darius Cooper have looked in camp, but they don’t have proven track records. The former’s career-high 581 receiving yards came in his rookie season in 2023 and his numbers have declined each year since. Cooper, who was an undrafted free agent last year, has just nine catches for 92 yards in his career.

Sure, the duo could produce a fairy tale story and look like stars to begin the season if they are in featured roles, but it’s hard to count on that happening with their inexperience. Lemon was expected to take over the No. 2 wide receiver role easily, but now it’s possible that he isn’t even the third receiver on the depth chart.

There were some red flags when Philadelphia selected him, with Lemon being fairly small for his position while also not being overly quick. However, the team banked on his talent and next-level physicality trumping anything else. Lemon’s career hasn’t even began yet, so it would be foolish to write him off already. But there’s no getting around the fact that the start to his career has been concerning.