Alshon Jeffrey shows promise in Eagles debut

The numbers are nothing to brag about.

Two catches for 23 yards.

Yet, the debut of Alshon Jeffrey certainly left the Eagles feeling good as the prized offseason acquisition got his feet wet for the first time in the midnight green.

“It was good to get him out there and finally get some opportunities to him,” said quarterback Carson Wentz.

Jeffrey did not suit in the first preseason game and has been limited for much of training camp. The team has understandably been playing it a bit more cautious with Jeffrey, who has battled injuries over the past few years.

The Wentz-to-Jeffrey connection is no where near a finished product yet. The second-year quarterback threw Jeffrey’s way five times, converting on less than half of those throws.

The few errant passes didn’t faze Wentz or head coach Doug Pederson, though. The showing was good enough for them, and it left them feeling pretty excited for what could come.

After the game, Pederson noted Jeffrey’s route running as well as the fact that he’s a “big target” as a few of the things he took away.

“We missed early a couple times but came back in that hurry-up drive,” Pederson said. “He’s going to be one that we get into a rhythm of the game. He’s obviously a big presence out there.”

Typically the third preseason game is the one where the first-unit gets its most in-game action. That’s why next week will be a big step forward for Wentz and Jeffrey as they’ll get their biggest work sample to date.

It may have been only a few series, but it was certainly fun to watch Wentz look Jeffrey’s way early and often. The duo has a chance to be special in 2017 once they find that rhythm Pederson alluded to.