After missing the Eagles' last game against the Atlanta Falcons with a concussion, wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been a full participant in practice all week and is expected to return to his role as a starter on offense.
But the explosive Jackson is also a threat on special teams, and special teams' coordinator Ted Daisher said that Jackson will reprise his role as the punt returner this Sunday night against the New York Giants.
"Right now the plan is for DeSean to come back," Daisher said. "Jeremy (Maclin) did a nice job last week, but if DeSean is healthy and playing he'll be out there."
For his part, Maclin was more than serviceable last week, busting one big return for 27 yards that would have gone for a touchdown if not for a diving tackle by the punter.
But Jackson is the NFL's leading punt returner, averaging 15.5 yards per punt return. New England's Wes Welker is second in the league with 13.9 yards per return.
Jackson's presence on special teams will no doubt concern the Giants, who have allowed the 14th most yards by opposing punt returners this season. Giants' Punter Jeff Feagles is known as a directional punter, but if he gives Jackson enough room to run, the wide receiver might not stop until he reaches the end zone.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:41 p.m., December 10
