Maclin, whose treatment mostly took place in the St. Louis area, found out Aug. 17 that he definitely did not have lymphoma, as doctors had feared. Maclin was reasonably confident about the tests, given that he'd been feeling fine for several months after enduring mono-like symptoms, but it took until mid-August for his blood tests to come back normal. A lymph node was removed and examined in order to make the final call.
"It just shows you can't take anything for granted," Maclin said.
Maclin was held out of preseason games but has been practicing regularly the past few weeks, taking "every snap," Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday.
Maclin said yesterday his conditioning is where it would normally be at the start of the season, though he hasn't been through contact.
Maclin is the backup punt returner to DeSean Jackson, but Maclin said he hasn't fielded any punts this year.
"That's something like catching the ball, that you don't really forget how to do," he said.
Mr. Happy
DeSean Jackson has made himself scarce around the locker room this week during the time that reporters are allowed to mill about. But Jackson's official spokesman, Michael Vick, spoke reassuringly about the fourth-year wideout, who is locked in a disagreement with the Eagles over how much of a salary bump he deserves.
"He wants to earn everything that's going to come his way, and if you see him out on the field or you see him in the locker room, he's a happy individual," Vick said.
We'll have to take Vick at his word. Be nice to get an idea of how Jackson feels about returning punts, while still playing under that $600,000 deal, though.
Microfracture, microscope
The assumption has been that Steve Smith, practicing as he works his way back from knee microfracture surgery, will be active as the fifth receiver Sunday, but Andy Reid said he wants to see how the week goes.
