The Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin have reason to be excited after tests determined the playmaker is cancer free.

That was one of the significant concerns for Maclin during a long illness in which doctors were unable to pinpoint why he had dropped weight and was not feeling well.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News breaks down the timeline of events as news has finally circulated today.

“I feel pretty safe" to say that Jeremy Maclin can play in St. Louis on opening day, Sept. 11,” Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said during a conference call. “That's our goal."

Maclin had tests over a series of months and he had inflamed lymph nodes which led to a biopsy in June. His symptoms are now gone and all cancer tests were negative. He had laproscopic surgery on lymph nodes in St. Louis last week and he should be cleared to practice within the next seven to 10 days. Maclin is expected to rejoin the team this weekend.

There was rampant speculation about what might be wrong with Maclin, who dropped 15 pounds in the spring.

“I want everyone to know I’m fine, I’m healthy,” Maclin said. “I was tested for everything and every single test came back negative. I don’t have mono, I don’t have AIDS, leukemia, all the things people were guessing on, there was nothing. I was being tested for lymphoma and thank God everything has come back negative.

“I wanted my privacy on this until I had answers. I don’t like to talk unless I have all the answers about what I’m talking about. It was frustrating to hear all the rumors about me. It wasn’t until this morning that I finally got my final answer and thankfully I’m healthy and ready to return to football.

“Man, I don’t wish this on anybody. I look back at my whole life, I’ve already gone through so much. I already appreciate where I am and appreciate the game of football. I can’t wait to get back out there and just resume my normal life.”

It’s certainly encouraging to know he is healthy and on his way back.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune