Saturday's flurry of training-camp action was soiled by the ugly side of football's return: injuries, and plenty of them.
In Philadelphia, the Eagleslost Jeremy Maclin for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.
The Eagles are deep with skill players, but as Gregg Rosenthal noted, losing Maclin represents the first significant obstacle coach Chip Kelly has to overcome in Philadelphia. A source familiar with the team's thinking told Rapoport the Eagles expect to fill the void from within. With Jason Avant, Riley Cooper, Arrelious Benn and Damaris Johnson behind DeSean Jackson, Philly has plenty to work with.
Still, the injury couldn't come at a worse time for Maclin, who's entering a contract season. Goodwill for the Eagles pass-catcher poured out league-wide, including this tweet from an NFC East adversary:
And from DJax:
It's raining in Baltimore ...
... where the Ravens lost tight end Dennis Pitta for the season with a fracture in his hip, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported, citing a source informed of the injury.
Pitta -- like Maclin in a contract year -- was hurt in a collision at practice with safety James Ihedigbo. He initially was ruled out for "at least" the Sept. 5 opener against the Denver Broncos, but Baltimore now is losing one of Joe Flacco's favorite targets for the long haul. After trading away Anquan Boldin and without a clear answer at receiver opposite Torrey Smith, the Ravens are shorthanded.
One potential patch: Veteran tight end Visanthe Shiancoe watched Friday's Ravens practice with general manager Ozzie Newsome. Still, that's a sharp falloff from the ascendant Pitta.
Too many carts taking too many humans away
»Browns offensive tackle Ryan Miller was carted off the field Saturday and taken by ambulance to the Cleveland Clinic after sustaining a concussion. The Browns announced the second-year pro was released from the hospital Saturday night. "He's doing well," coach Rob Chudzinski told The Associated Press. "He's responsive, and it sounds like things are better at this point."
»Chiefs guard Jeff Allen was taken off the field with a right shoulder injury, according to Adam Teicher of The Kansas City Star. Based on what he saw, Teicher believes Allen is set to "miss some time."
Oh, Blaine ...
Not a pretty afternoon for our pal, Blaine Gabbert. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was mega-rusty out of the gate Saturday. His first three plays, according to Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, were a "nearly-botched hand-off, fumbled exchange, and a collision with left guard Will Rackley to cause a fumble."
Wait a minute: Buttfumble 2!
Reverse scouting 101
More on Boldin: He's a popular figure with his new 49ers teammates. After the former Ravens receiver torched San Francisco for six catches, 104 yards and one touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII, 49ers defenders have been badgering Boldin for enemy intelligence.
"A lot of guys came up to me and asked me, 'What did the scouting report have on (the 49ers' defense)? What did it say?'Â " Boldin told The AP. "Things like that. I've had a chance to communicate that to guys."
If you're reading this, Philip Rivers, look away!
Foster on his way back
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who's recovering from a right calf strain, told The AP: "I'm feeling good, physically. I'm doing good."
Care to be more specific, Mr. Foster?
"It's just got some light soreness in there. It's nothing. I can do pretty much everything, so I'm just going to take it day-by-day."
And will you be ready to serve fantasy drones everywhere?
"I have played through a lot of things, but this is just something you can't, and there's no reason to right now. I'm just going to take my time, and when I feel 100 percent confident, I'll be ready."
Jones: Jets embrace opportunity
Expectations are crazy low for the New York Jets in 2013, but just don't tell them that. Kimberly Jones has the story from camp. **More**
And from the hot seat of Rex Ryan ...
"It's safe to say I won't be here if we draft (Jadeveon) Clowney," Ryan told reporters Saturday. "I can just say that right now. ... I think I'm going to say that without hesitation."
That's another guarantee. Right?
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
