"Even with an emerging star in DeSean Jackson and complementary pieces around him, the Eagles stunned their fans in April by trading up two spots to draft receiver Jeremy Maclin.

But with each passing day, the pick seems more sensible and to have been made out of necessity.

Veteran receiver Kevin Curtis missed practice again Friday with knee soreness, the persistent swelling that's frequently keeping him out of the lineup and paving the way for Maclin's second consecutive start.

The coaches aren't publicly admitting Curtis' career could be seriously jeopardized, but they aren't ruling out the idea of shutting down the 31-year-old receiver for a long time.

Curtis missed the Eagles' last game against Kansas City almost two weeks ago and is questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

"We're looking at that," Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday. "Our doctors are working on that just to see what we can do to help him get better there."

Maclin caught four passes for 33 yards against the Chiefs, while Jackson roasted Kansas City's secondary for a career-best 164 yards, with 64 coming on a touchdown."