Eagles Check Out RB Marcus Lattimore


Last month, Marcus Lattimore tweeted about getting a cheesesteak while in Philadelphia.

And today, a league source confirmed that the South Carolina running back was in town for an official pre-draft visit with the Eagles.

Lattimore suffered a devastating knee injury in late October, tearing his right ACL, MCL and PCL. The 5-11, 221-pounder played parts of three seasons with the Gamecocks, totaling 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported recently that teams interested in Lattimore are looking ahead to 2014, but Lattimore doesn’t necessarily agree.

“After the surgery, Dr. [James] Andrews said everything was great, everything went perfect,” Lattimore told PFT. “And I’ve just been rehabbing my tail off. He wants me ready by the beginning of the season, so that’s our timetable. Beginning or middle of the season.”

Lattimore did concede, however, that some teams have told him he would sit out 2013. Others have said he’ll be put on the PUP list. And some have refused to put any restrictions on him at all.

“Whatever’s best for me and best for the team, I’m good for,” he said.

“There’s no concern, I’m going to be the same back I was in my mind, and the same back I was physically, even better.”

Projecting where Lattimore might be picked is tricky because it all depends on the medical evaluations from various teams. That’s a big part of the official visits and likely the reason the Eagles wanted to bring him in.

Some think Lattimore could be a Day 2 pick, but it’s probably more likely that he gets taken on Day 3.

As for the Eagles, they have LeSean McCoy, Bryce Brown, Chris Polk and Dion Lewis on the roster. They’re looking to deal Lewis though if any teams are interested. If Lattimore slips and their medical evaluations suggest he still has upside, perhaps the Eagles could take a flier on him in the later rounds.

Click here for our full list of prospect visits and workouts.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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