Eagles’ Rookie Makai Lemon Available for Season Opener After Hamstring Recovery

Overview

• As of Sept. 11, first‑round pick Makai Lemon has returned from a recurring hamstring issue and is available for the Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders.
• Lemon missed time in spring practices and re‑injured the hamstring on Aug. 3, costing him roughly three weeks of training camp before he resumed group work late in camp.
• The team lists Lemon as its WR3 and the punt‑returner on the depth chart, but coaches expect his Week 1 snap count to be limited because he missed live reps with starters.
• Coaches praise Lemon’s mental processing, alignment and route detail and say veteran DeVonta Smith has mentored him closely as Lemon takes extra reps to regain timing with Jalen Hurts.
• Rookie TE Eli Stowers is questionable with a hamstring but plans to play and both rookies are likely to see initial roles on special teams as they earn offensive trust after limited preseason action.