DeSean Jackson, a rookie from Cal, might play a key role in the Philadelphia Eagles' season opener Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
The Eagles might be without their top two wide receivers. Reggie Brown missed his second straight practice Friday because of a strained left hamstring, and Kevin Curtis is out indefinitely after having surgery for a sports hernia.
That means Jackson, Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett and Jason Avant could rotate at the two spots.
"I'm not worried about it,"
Coach Andy Reid said. "The other guys are good players. That's why they're here."
Jackson had an impressive preseason. He worked out with Jerry Rice before the NFL draft and walks around with a swagger that teammates have noticed.
"I like seeing that confidence,"
running back Brian Westbrook said. "He's confident in his ability and he has proven what he can do in the preseason. Now we need to see that in the regular season."
Jackson, a second-round draft pick, also returns punts.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can do,"
Jackson said. "I'm here to help this team. There are a lot of great players here. I'm just trying to fit in."
Quarterback Donovan McNabb said, "I think the one thing that we can do to help DeSean is every other guy has to step their game up and be able to make as many plays as possible so we won't count on him so much."
# Receiver Deion Branch, still recovering from off-season knee surgery, was ruled out of Seattle's opener at Buffalo. Nate Burleson and Courtney Taylor will start at the receiver positions.
# Rather than losing a game paycheck of more than $191,000, Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters plans to end his holdout and report to the Buffalo Bills by today. It is unlikely that he will play Sunday.
# Receiver Jerry Porter was ruled out of Jacksonville's opener at Tennessee because of a hamstring injury.
# Cornerback Terence Newman is listed as questionable for Dallas' opener at Cleveland, another sign that Adam Jones might make his Cowboys debut as a starter Sunday.
