The defensive end will be released from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in 5-7 days after suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen Thursday night in Miami.

McDougle had surgery after he was shot during a robbery attempt

Derek Boyko

His timetable to returning to the field is still unknown. Eagles team internist Gary Dorshimer has been in contact with McDougle's doctors in Miami. The Eagles have not spoken with McDougle.

Stockar McDougle, Jerome's brother and an offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, has returned to training camp after leaving to be with his brother.

"I want to thank Coach (Nick) Saban for giving me the time off I needed to be with my brother and the rest of my family," McDougle said in a statement. "I'm just glad to be back on the field with the rest of my teammates.

""I also want to thank everyone for their prayers and concern for Jerome's health, and fortunately, it looks like he is on his way to making a full and speedy recovery."

In the meantime on the football field, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said N.D. Kalu will take over the starting spot in McDougle's absence.

Head coach Andy Reid updated his situation during his Friday press conference and said that McDougle is in stable condition.

"I'm glad he is doing very well," Reid said. "I'm optimistic that he'll recover and be ready to play football."

McDougle was scheduled to report for training camp with the other veterans on Monday night. Reid acknowledged that McDougle spent a lot of time in the offseason working out and that he was in great shape.

According to the Associated Press, three armed robbers approached McDougle in his silver Mercedes. After demanding his property, McDougle was shot by one of the robbers.

Two more shots were fired at McDougle as he tried to get out of the car, but the shots missed him and hit inside the door of his car. The robbers, who are likely in their teens, are still at large.

McDougle was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent emergency surgery.

As for the impact of McDougle's injury on the team, Reid said that teammates had contacted him and were concerned. But once the rookies and selected veterans take the field for practice football, Reid said everything will be fine.

"It's tragic," said rookie WR Reggie Brown, who reported with the rookies and selected veterans Friday. "I just hope he'll be alright. I really don't know how serious it is. It's something you don't want to hear.

"I think everyone will be able to rest easy as long as he's going to be alright."

McDougle spent most of the offseason woking out at the NovaCare Complex with hopes of taking over the starting spot at defensive end opposite Jevon Kearse this season. He had two sacks in 2004.

McDougle was selected as the Eagles first-round draft pick and the fifteenth overall selection of the 2003 NFL Draft. The Eagles traded up 15 spots in order to draft the star defensive end from the University of Miami.

In his two NFL seasons, McDougle has been plagued by injuries - an irregular heart beat and a knee sprain. In all, McDougle has missed 13 games.