The Philadelphia Eagles’ season, once filled with promise, hit a snag after Week 12. Their winning streak came to an abrupt halt, and the dream of a Super Bowl title faded after a disheartening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Changes ensued within the coaching staff, notably the departure of defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
The Eagles head coach, Nick Sirianni, successfully retained his job, but offensive coordinator Brian Johnson failed to save his role. While Philly has nothing but to prepare for the upcoming season, wide receiver Devon Allen aims to make a triumphant return from injury ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Devon Allen aims comeback at 2024 Paris Olympics
Devon Allen is gearing up for a remarkable comeback in track competition slated for April this year. The three-time U.S. 110-meter hurdles champion is set to grace the tracks once again, marking his return after nearly ten months since his last appearance in the 110-meter final at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
The event is scheduled to occur from April 12–15 in California. His comeback journey gains momentum as he prepares to defend his title at the Penn Relays on April 29 in Philadelphia. Speaking to the Inquirer, the young star expressed his readiness to plunge back into sprinting, saying that the hiatus wasn’t spent idly.
“It’s not like I’ve been sitting on a couch.It’s just about getting in shape over the next four to six weeks, then I’ll start competing again”, he affirmed via Lets Run.
The athlete’s fate hasn’t been devoid of challenges. On December 22, he endured his third ACL tear while practicing with the Eagles. However, adversity has often acted as a catalyst for Allen’s determination. Following his previous ACL tears, he not only recovered but also surpassed previous records.
After his first ACL tear in 2015, the Philly star returned triumphantly by securing NCAA and US titles in the 110-meter hurdles in 2016. Similarly, despite the setback in 2016, he ensured third place at the US championships in 2017 and qualified for the World Championships later that year.
Allen’s ambition reaches beyond mere participation, as he aspires to qualify for his third World Championships in Budapest, slated for August 19–27. His impressive track record, including lowering his personal best to 12.99 in 2021 and achieving a staggering 12.84 in 2022, makes him the third-fastest hurdler of all time. Now, the player’s return to the tracks is anticipated with bated breath.
Does Devon Allen still play for Eagles?
Devon Allen is still a wide receiver of the Eagles, but he faced setbacks throughout the 2023 season. Placed on the practice squad injured list in December, he missed four consecutive games due to undisclosed reasons.
Philly earlier elevated Allen from the practice squad in October when Quez Watkins suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve. This marked Allen’s second elevation from the practice squad this season, with his first appearance in Week 3 against the Buccaneers. In that game, he contributed on special teams with 11 snaps along with a 17-yard punt return.
However, Allen’s recent activation did not result in recorded stats during a game against the New York Jets. Despite appearing in only two games during the season, the WR made an impact by returning a kick for 17 yards in Week 6.
Will Devon Allen be able to make his comeback before the Olympics? Tell us what you think in the comments section.
