Riley Cooper returns to Eagles

After a brief leave of absence, disgraced Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper has returned to the team’s training camp in Philadelphia.

Cooper is expected to practice Tuesday and play in the team’s preseason opener Friday against the New England Patriots.

Cooper, who was caught on video yelling a racial slur at a Kenny Chesney concert in June, is sure to attempt further reconciliation with his teammates this week. However, he’ll also encounter some unfamiliar players as the Patriots are already in town to conduct joint practices with the Eagles for the next three days.

Cooper is trying to earn a starting job now that Jeremy Maclin is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Though Cooper only has 46 catches in 40 NFL games since he was picked in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, he has an intriguing blend of size (6-3, 222 pounds) and speed.

Though Eagles coach Chip Kelly said last week that Cooper’s roster spot is safe, some NFL executives told USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero that Cooper would become a free agent commodity if released. Read more