Dec 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles release veterans Alshon Jeffery, Malik Jackson

The Philadelphia purge continues.

As the first day of the new league year began Wednesday with the Eagles finally making their trade official of former franchise quarterback Carson Wentz to Indianapolis, the team also released a pair of veterans in expected moves, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive tackle Malik Jackson.

The news comes nearly one month after the team also released veteran wideout DeSean Jackson, and two days after news that safety Jalen Mills would be departing as a free agent with the New England Patriots.

The release of Jeffery knocked off the final year of the 31-year-old’s four-year, $52 million extension he signed in 2017.

Hampered by offseason foot surgery, Jeffery caught just six passes for 115 yards and one touchdown in seven games as the Eagles went 4-11-1 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

In 46 games over four seasons with the Eagles, including a Super Bowl title to conclude the 2017 campaign, Jeffery had 171 receptions for 2,237 yards and 20 TDs. He had 12 receptions three touchdown catches in the 2017 playoffs, with a scoring reception in the team’s Super Bowl win that year.

Jeffery, who played his first five seasons with the Chicago Bears, has 475 career receptions over 109 games for 6,786 yards and 46 TDs.

Jackson, also 31, leaves Philadelphia after signing a three-year, $30 million contract before the 2019 season. He played just 16 of 32 games over the past two seasons, missing all but one game in his first campaign after suffering a season-ending foot injury in the season opener. Last season he started in six of his 15 games, but recorded just 2 1/2 sacks.

In his nine seasons, Jackson has amassed 267 tackles and 35 sacks in 126 games (73 starts). He played for the Denver Broncos (2012-15), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-18) and the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles intend to release WR Alshon Jeffery

Dec 22, 2020; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) attempts a pass against the UCF Knights during the first half at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles are cleaning house in the wide-receiver department with the intention to release Alshon Jeffery next month, NFL Network reported Monday.

The news comes just three days after the team released veteran wideout DeSean Jackson.

Hampered by offseason foot surgery, Jeffery caught just six passes for 115 yards and one touchdown in seven games as the Eagles went 4-11-1 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

In 46 games over four seasons with the Eagles, including a Super Bowl title to conclude the 2017 campaign, Jeffery had 171 receptions for 2,237 yards and 20 TDs. He had 12 receptions three touchdown catches in the 2017 playoffs.

According to the report, Jeffery officially will be released when the new NFL year begins in March. The move will knock off the final year of the 31-year-old’s four-year, $52 million extension he signed in 2017.

Jeffery, who played his first five seasons with the Chicago Bears, has 475 career receptions over 109 games for 6,786 yards and 46 TDs.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles’ Jeffery returns to practice for first time in 2020

The injury-riddled Philadelphia Eagles saw a familiar face in practice on Thursday.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery participated in individual drills during the portion of practice that was open to the media at NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia.

Jeffery’s involvement in that capacity was his first since he sustained a Lisfranc injury on his right foot on Dec. 9. The season-ending injury occurred on a non-contact play in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 23-17 overtime victory against the New York Giants.

While it might be premature to pencil the 30-year-old Jeffery in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals (0-2), it is a welcome sight considering the Eagles (0-2) reportedly are nursing another injury within their wide receiver ranks.

Promising rookie Jalen Reagor reportedly has a torn ligament in his thumb that will require surgery. The only healthy wideouts on Philadelphia’s active roster are DeSean Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward and 2020 fifth-round pick John Hightower.

Jeffery recorded 43 receptions for 490 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season. He had a career-high 10 touchdowns and 1,133 receiving yards with the Chicago Bears in 2014.

–Field Level Media