One week.
After five seasons in the NFL, that's what might determine Markus Wheaton's future with the Eagles. It might determine his future in the NFL.
Wheaton, 27, had been looking good early in training camp, but a hamstring injury has kept him out for over two weeks. He once seemed destined to take a roster spot and get a chance to get his once-promising NFL career back on the right track but hasn't been able to play in any of the preseason games.
On Sunday, Wheaton was back at practice. That leaves him this week and, hopefully, Thursday's game to prove to the Eagles he's worth a spot on the 53.
It won't be easy.
"I have a week, yeah," Wheaton said Sunday before his first practice back.
"And I'm excited to get on the field, whether it's Week 4 of the preseason or whether it's the Super Bowl or a practice on a Sunday. I'm excited to play football. I love football. Anytime I can get out there and play football, I'm going to enjoy it."
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It seems like the Eagles' top five receiver spots are clearly spoken for already. Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson are making the team. That sixth spot is still up for grabs.
Perhaps Wheaton has an advantage. Because if the Eagles need someone to play immediately, at least he has plenty of NFL experience.
But is a week enough time?
"No clue," he said. "No clue. That's not for me to worry about. Just go play."
The Eagles signed Wheaton to a vet minimum, one-year deal with a base salary of $790,000 this year. It was just a prove-it deal and they can easily decide to move on from Wheaton if they choose. Wheaton started to prove he could play but then proved he can't seem to stay healthy.
The last time Wheaton had a productive season in the NFL was in 2015, when he caught 44 passes for 749 yards and five touchdowns in his penultimate season in Pittsburgh. But in 2016 with the Steelers and 2017 with the Bears, Wheaton was derailed by injuries, catching a total of seven passes for 102 yards.
Just as Wheaton seemed ready to get his career back on track, he hurt his hamstring this summer.
What makes it worse for Wheaton, is that he felt good and thought he was playing well before the injury. He felt like he was fitting in with Doug Pederson's offense.
"I think so," Wheaton said. "That's for them to determine. In my opinion, I feel like I was coming along real well in terms of learning it and showing that I can do what they need me to do. If I'll have enough time to show them I can do it from here on … it's up to them."
Wheaton tried to look at the positives of his most recent injury. Sure, it stunk that he missed so much valuable time at training camp and the preseason. But at least he has a week left to prove himself. It might be the most important week of his career.
