Eagles Notes: Jackson skips voluntary practice

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was a no-show at the Eagles' voluntary practices Monday and is expected to be gone all week, a source close to the situation said.

Players seeking new contracts often skip such voluntary sessions to send a message to their team, but several news reports said Jackson's decision was not related to money. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return calls seeking comment.

Jackson, entering the third season of a four-year, $3.47 million deal, is still under the rookie contract he signed as a second-round draft pick. He has emerged as one of the league's most dynamic receivers and return men. Earlier this year, he said he was willing to be patient in waiting for a new deal.

Cornerback Asante Samuel also was out Monday and is expected to miss the entire week of practice for personal reasons, according to the team. The Eagles did not provide a reason for Jackson's absence.

Samuel skipped the second week of voluntary full-team practices last year and has not worked out with the team in Philadelphia this off-season, so his departure, after participating in last week's sessions, was not surprising.

Jackson's decision, however, contrasts with his actions so far this off-season. He has been working out at the NovaCare Complex and took part in last week's voluntary practices.

An Eagles spokesman said the team was not worried about Jackson's absence. The team, and several of Jackson's teammates, pointed out that the June workouts are voluntary.

"We'll have a lot of time in [training] camp, so he'll be just fine," fellow wide receiver Jason Avant said.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb said he and Jackson worked out together before the organized team practices began.

"We've got a lot of work in and look forward to getting better," Kolb said.

Herremans does not run. Several Eagles who have been held out of recent practices did some light running after the team activities Monday, including linebacker Stewart Bradley (calf), running back LeSean McCoy (ankle), center Jamaal Jackson (knee) and tackle Fenuki Tupou (pectoral muscle). Guard Todd Herremans, who has downplayed a recent foot injury that required a visit to a North Carolina specialist, was not among the group. Punter Sav Rocca sat out practice.

Maclin's excited. Prompted by a reporter's question about how this offense could stack up against other high-flying NFL squads in recent years, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin compared the Eagles' weapons to the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Maclin, asked about the team's stable of receivers and tight ends, added that the versatility of running back McCoy compares to that of Marshall Faulk, who powered two Rams Super Bowl teams.

"I think there's definitely some comparisons there," Maclin said. "The best problem is having too many [options], and I think that may be one of the problems we have, but I don't think any egos will get in the way or anything like that."