Makai Lemon remains out for Eagles vs. Patriots tonight
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon remains out tonight for the team's preseason game against the New England Patriots due to a hamstring injury. The first-round pick has been limited in practice after missing nine sessions and now has roughly two weeks to prepare before the regular-season opener.
Key Takeaways
- Makai Lemon will not play in the Eagles' preseason matchup against the Patriots.
- The hamstring injury dates to Aug. 3; he missed nine practices before limited work Thursday.
- He returned to practice in pads but stayed limited and did not take part in team drills.
- NBC Sports notes he has about two weeks to catch up before the season opener.
- CBS Sports says he could be a candidate for the next preseason game at Cincinnati if recovery continues.
Why is Makai Lemon sitting out tonight?
According to NBC Sports, citing Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Makai Lemon is among the Eagles players not suited up for tonight's preseason game against the Patriots.
CBS Sports, citing Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, likewise reported that Lemon (hamstring) will not play in Saturday's preseason game at New England. The absence continues a careful approach after the first-round wideout's soft-tissue setback.
How long has the hamstring issue kept him off the field?
Lemon injured his hamstring on Aug. 3 and missed nine practices before returning to limited work on Thursday, NBC Sports reported. CBS Sports added that he has been dealing with the issue since at least that date and was listed as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the Week 2 exhibition.
Bleeding Green Nation reported that Lemon first dealt with a hamstring problem that kept him out of half of OTAs, then missed 2.5 weeks of training camp and likely two preseason games. On Thursday, during the Eagles' second joint practice with the Patriots, he was back on the field in pads in a limited capacity and did not participate in team drills—still a step forward after weeks away.
What does this mean for Makai Lemon before Week 1?
NBC Sports notes that Lemon will have two weeks to catch up before the season opener. With no exhibition snaps yet, CBS Sports framed the rookie first-round pick as a possible candidate to play the coming Friday at Cincinnati if he progresses enough in his recovery.
The wider Eagles receiving room has also been banged up: Bleeding Green Nation said DeVonta Smith was returning in a limited capacity with a hamstring issue as well, while Elijah Moore was newly sidelined with a neck injury. For more injury and roster context in this lane, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage hub.
For fantasy and depth-chart watchers, the headline remains simple: Makai Lemon is inactive for this Patriots preseason game, but limited practice reps suggest the Eagles are easing him back rather than shutting him down indefinitely.