Kevin Curtis, who is a star wideout for Philadelphia, is out with a sports hernia. Curtis, who had played for four years with the St. Louis Rams, came to the Eagles last year and had a breakout season, becoming their top pass catcher.
In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Curtis played in 16 regular season games, making 77 receptions for 1,110 yards (14.4 YPC) and six touchdowns.
He also accumulated 49 first downs. He is first on the team’s depth chart at wideout. Curtis, who is 30, will miss the start of the season. He’ll have surgery for the injury on Thursday.
Coach Andy Reid noted that there was no schedule concerning when Curtis will return to the field, but that he does feel sure that the receiver will be back for part of the season.
Reid observed, “He’ll be back this season for sure. I’d like to tell you a time on it, but I can’t. I don’t know what that time is on it.”
However, coming back from a sports hernia is not easy. Both Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb and tight end L.J. Smith have suffered from this injury and found their performance compromised when trying to return.
Eagles’ receiver Reggie Brown is also ailing with a strained hamstring. Brown has been involved in only a few plays during the preseason.
Backup receiver Greg Lewis will substitute for Curtis in the Friday’s preseason contest versus New England. Hank Baskett will also see work at wideout. Brown will be spelled by rookie WR DeSean Jackson.
The Eagles are not in the market for vet wideout Joe Horn who was cut by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. The team could find help through a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Anquan Boldin, who has requested a trade.