Eagles give Pinkston OK to seek trade

[jranieli]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2565423

he Monday trade that brought the Philadelphia Eagles speedy fifth-year veteran Donte' Stallworth has suddenly created a bit of a logjam at wide receiver, and the team could be looking to move some bodies.

 

Todd Pinkston

Pinkston

 

Starting with former starter Todd Pinkston, the six-year veteran who missed the entire 2005 season with a torn right Achilles, and who has been limited for much of training camp.

 

ESPN.com has learned that Eagles officials have granted Pinkston and agent Joel Segal permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade. It is not certain what Philadelphia would be seeking in return for Pinkston, who could be extraneous, given the glut of receivers on the roster.

 

As of Tuesday afternoon, three teams had indicated an interest in Pinkston, a second-round selection in the 2000 draft. At least two of the three receiver-needy franchises would likely view Pinkston as a starter, if he is healthy. Pinkston has conceded, though, he is not pain-free yet as he continues to recover from the Achilles injury suffered last summer in training camp.

 

Even teams legitimately interested in Pinkston will have some concerns about his health and also might be willing to gamble that he will be released this weekend, when teams must reduce their rosters to the regular season limit of 53 players. Philadelphia is set at the two starting wideout spots, with Stallworth and second-year veteran Reggie Brown, and the coaches like some of the youngsters they've brought in, too.

 

The teams interested in Pinkston likely are attracted by his outstanding deep speed and career average of 15.3 yards per catch.

 

During camp this summer, Pinkston has battled tendinitis in both Achilles, and he has missed considerable practice time. Not until last week was Pinkston able to log an entire week of full-speed practices, and his appearance in last Friday night's exhibition victory over Pittsburgh was his first of the preseason. He had one reception for four yards.

 

A former Southern Mississippi standout, the reed-thin Pinkston has played in 78 games, including 68 as a starter, and has 184 receptions for 2,816 yards and 14 touchdowns. His best season was in 2002, when he had 60 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

 

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[jranieli]

Jeremy Bloom is out for the season with a torn hamstring. This is not the time to trade Twigston.