PINKSTON OUT FOR THE YEAR
A day after receiver Terrell Owens pulled his groin (and hurt his upper leg), two more key members of the Eagles offense went down with training camp injuries.
Bob Kent of PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports that receiver Todd "Calista" Pinkston suffered an Achilles' injury and running back Correll Buckhalter sustained yet another knee injury.
A league source tells us that Pinkston has a suffered torn Achilles' tendon, and is out for the year.
Buckhalter missed the 2002 and 2004 seasons with knee injuries. The extent of the latest injury is not yet known.
As to Owens, word is that he's day-to-day with the tender groin. Until he returns, the Eagles will be thin at receiver.
The team is likely to get some relief at running back, however. Word is that agent Fletcher Smith now acknowledges that running back Brian Westbrook must report to training camp by August 8 or lose his shot at unrestricted free agency in 2006. Smith previously said he was not aware of the little-known rule requiring players under contract to report at least 30 days prior to the regular season opener in order to earn a year of accrued service.
As one league insider told us, Smith likely would have been suspended by the NFLPA if Westbrook hadn't reported on time and Smith hadn't warned him of the August 8 rule, which was first reported and explained in this space on Tuesday evening. Smith also likely would have faced a claim under the NFLPA's new mandatory liability insurance policy, since Westbrook would have lost millions if forced to play under the restricted tender for a second year.
So, Fletch, we're not expecting a cut of the commission on Westbrook's long-term deal or anything, but a "thank you" card and a box of nonpareils would be a nice touch
A day after receiver Terrell Owens pulled his groin (and hurt his upper leg), two more key members of the Eagles offense went down with training camp injuries.
Bob Kent of PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports that receiver Todd "Calista" Pinkston suffered an Achilles' injury and running back Correll Buckhalter sustained yet another knee injury.
A league source tells us that Pinkston has a suffered torn Achilles' tendon, and is out for the year.
Buckhalter missed the 2002 and 2004 seasons with knee injuries. The extent of the latest injury is not yet known.
As to Owens, word is that he's day-to-day with the tender groin. Until he returns, the Eagles will be thin at receiver.
The team is likely to get some relief at running back, however. Word is that agent Fletcher Smith now acknowledges that running back Brian Westbrook must report to training camp by August 8 or lose his shot at unrestricted free agency in 2006. Smith previously said he was not aware of the little-known rule requiring players under contract to report at least 30 days prior to the regular season opener in order to earn a year of accrued service.
As one league insider told us, Smith likely would have been suspended by the NFLPA if Westbrook hadn't reported on time and Smith hadn't warned him of the August 8 rule, which was first reported and explained in this space on Tuesday evening. Smith also likely would have faced a claim under the NFLPA's new mandatory liability insurance policy, since Westbrook would have lost millions if forced to play under the restricted tender for a second year.
So, Fletch, we're not expecting a cut of the commission on Westbrook's long-term deal or anything, but a "thank you" card and a box of nonpareils would be a nice touch
arty:
