In place of physical reps, Lemon has been taking mental reps at practice, running routes by himself, and shadowing other Eagles receivers as they take their physical reps. Lemon says these mental reps are just as important as being on the field.
"I feel like you're just able to see the game from a different perspective," Lemon said. "Making sure I was doing that over and over again so, when I step on the field, I'm ready to go and there isn't much of a gap."
Being in the film room, studying the playbook, and taking those mental reps made the return to full participation more comfortable for the rookie receiver. Luckily for Lemon, he wasn't in it alone – DeVonta Smith hurt his hamstring the same practice in which Lemon injured his hamstring. Smith also returned to action as a limited participant last week.
"We were going through the same process at the same time," Lemon said of the veteran wide receiver. "Just learning from him, just talking through things, anytime I'm able to get some game from him, I'm doing that."
Lemon's work rate even while being injured has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
"He's been fitting into the culture well," cornerback Riq Woolen said. "He's a young pro. He comes in, he works. He does everything he needs to do so he can come back out and be available on the field.
"I'm excited to have him come back to practice. It's pretty cool to see him out there sprinting because that's something that everybody wants to see, him healthy and having fun." – Written by Caroline Connor