NFL
Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery Removed From PUP List
Alshon Jeffery is likely to miss the first few weeks of the regular season according to the Philadelphia Eagles. Doug Pederson addressed the media after the Eagles’ final preseason game on Thursday to discuss Jeffery’s status. Pederson said, “it will be day to day from here,” regarding the status of Jeffery. This did not stop the Eagles from removing him from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and keeping him on the active 53-man roster.
Jeffery quickly became the Eagles WR1 last year. Upon the completion of the postseason, it was announced that Jeffery had torn his rotator cuff in the 2017 preseason and would require surgery. Despite the injury, the WR had a career year. Jeffery has yet to practice with the team or play in any preseason games. It was predicted back in February that Jeffery would be healthy for OTAs and the preseason. It is now likely that Jeffery won’t see playing time until Week 3 or later.
Losing Jeffery puts a large dent in the Eagles’ WR depth chart and scheme. Both Carson Wentz and Nick Foles who are likely to get early week snaps grew comfortable targeting the WR last season. The Eagles will be on their other first-string receivers, Nelson Agholor, and recent acquisition Mike Wallace.
Mack Hollins will likely get a high number of targets. Zach Ertz’s presence on the team gives the Eagles some breathing room as well. Ertz finished last year with eight TDs and 74 receptions for 824 yards, leading the team in receptions.
Fantasy Implications
While Pederson says the status of Jeffery on the field is day-to-day, there is a sound reason to believe we may not see the WR until potentially Week 4 or 5. It is hard to imagine that he would be ready to play in Week 3 after missing this much time. Jeffery posted some staggering points for fantasy owners last season however owners might want to stray away from drafting him in the higher rounds.
Once Jeffery is back on the field he will likely resume his position as WR1 but with a new supporting cast that runs deep; this could definitely detract from his fantasy production this year as well.
