As reported earlier this week, Eagles star receiver Kevin Curtis is out with a sports hernia and will have surgery today, Thursday. There is no timetable for his comeback, as Coach Reid simply said it would be “a while.” Teams try to make it through training camp and pre-season as injury free as possible, knowing that these tune ups are exactly that, a far lesser test on players than the regular season contests. But in football injuries are unavoidable, and teams must work with what they have no matter who goes down. In this case, the Eagles are losing a prized offseason acquisition of last year in Curtis, who set career highs in 2007 in receptions (77), yards (1,110), and was the go-to guy on the outside.

So, with an unknown date of a return from number 80, how do the Eagles patch that hole? Plenty of Eagles fans are already in full panic mode, most of them willing to give their left arm for Anquan Boldin, the unhappy stud receiver in Arizona. But according to numerous reports, that seems unlikely for the Cardinals to deal him, and frankly I don’t see the Eagles splurging another contract on Boldin or players/picks in a trade. Don’t get me wrong, having a player with the upside Boldin has would be extraordinary and I would be all for it, but in all likelihood - it’s not happening.

To take a step back, let’s look at what exactly this injury entails. We all remember McNabb playing with this same injury, but each sports hernia is different. It would have been far riskier for Curtis to try and rehab now and play through immense pain; gettin the surgery over with is essential. The healing time, although not down to an exact science, is projected at about 8 weeks. With 2 more weeks of the pre-season, that leaves Curtis out the first 6 weeks of 2008 at least; again…this injury and recovery time are hard to predict. But let’s say that it is approximately 8 weeks until he dresses, what could the solution possibly be? Well, this may sound like an Andy Reid type of answer, but the players we have now are good enough to win without him.

I’m not talking solely of the Eagles receiving core, no, but of a few other aspects that could hold the fort and win games until Curtis returns.

The first reason for hope is the offensive line and the rushing attack. Brian Westbrook is a happy man with a new contract; there’s nothing better than that. With number 36 happy and focused on football, he can return to his weekly thrashing of opposing defenses. Throw in a few pro-bowl tackles and the immensely important return (or so it seems) of Shawn Andrews, pro-bowl guard, and Brian will have a truly terrific line to run behind. The Eagles have never, ever, been a run-first football team under Reid and most likely aren’t going to change tunes in this situation. But with this ground attack, good things will happen.

Another glimmer to give fans hope is the healthy and happy Donovan McNabb. Like reporters across the country, I stood on the field and saw for myself at Lehigh what McNabb looks poised to do this year: and it’s big, big things. He comes into this season injury free for the first time in years, and without distraction. Losing his favorite true receiver (still has Westbrook) isn’t a small issue, but Donovan has been around this league a while and knows he can win without a true number 1. Hell, he’s won with Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston: that’s saying something.

Lastly, and perhaps the aspect most overlooked during this “crisis”, is the other side of the ball, the defense. Have we already forgotten the signing of Super Bowl champion/pro-bowler Asante Samuel? Did we forget the rising stars on the defensive line like Patterson and Bunkley? Or the sack artist from Oakland, Chris Clemons? This Eagles defense is one of the best groups as a whole that I’ve seen in a good number of years. But like in years past, the secondary is perhaps one of the best in all of football. Brian Dawkins is nearing the end of his career, but he isn’t there yet, and is looking to regain the step he lost last year. Throw in pro-bowl snub, and best pure cover corner Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard (for now…), emerging playmaker Quentin Mikell, and well, you have a stacked last line of defense. Move to linebacker, where the group is young, but looking very, very good. Gaither has moved to the weak side where he should have greater success than in 2007, and Stewart Bradley is becoming less of a question mark and more of a staple. The d-line can rotate in a number of players depending on down or fatigue during a game, a very important luxury to have throughout a season.

Again, I’m not saying losing Curtis is no big deal: the guy made catch after catch and big play after big play. If we had a true number 1 last year, he would have put up numbers very similar or better to those of Wes Welker on New England. But the team must march on and on September 7th against St. Louis in the opener, they will play without their teammate and former Ram. If Reggie Brown’s hamstring is healed that will be a huge lift in itself. The other receivers to contribute will be play by committee, like the Phillies right fielders (except not so God-awful like Geoff Jenkins). DeSean Jackson is opening eyes, Avant had ok numbers last year, and let’s not forget L.J. Smith who is in a contract year: I expect him to be very good.

Do any of those guys fill number 80’s shoes? No, but they certainly help, just like McNabb, the run game, and defense will help too. And if you look at the schedule and keep in mind the estimated 6 weeks of the regular season Curtis may be out, he could potentially be back after the bye week (week 7) for the home game against Atlanta. The next 2 games after that Falcons game? At Seattle and home against the Giants: perfect timing for a comeback.

So, hope for quick healing, and if all goes well, Curtis could very well be playing in that week 8 game against Atlanta. If not, don’t throw away the season and certainly don’t panic too much. Reid is right when he says this team has a ton of talent. Is it all at receiver? Hell no, but football teams don’t win games just at receiver. This team is good enough to win without Kevin Curtis, and that’s exactly what they’re going to do.