Riley Cooper calls his comments about Jeremy Maclin's contract a joke

Riley Cooper said he was "joking" when he commented Monday that Jeremy Maclin's contract situation was playing a role in his playing time, but Maclin did not find it funny.

"That was not a very smart thing for Coop to say," said Maclin, who is on a one-year deal and recently split with his agent.

Asked Tuesday if it was true that he was reluctant to exit for a substitute because of his contract, Maclin said it was not.

Cooper's playing time has decreased from 91 percent of the offensive snaps during the first six games to 76 percent since then. Maclin has played about 84 percent during that span.

One day after Cooper played only 67 percent of the snaps in the Eagles' 43-24 win over the Titans, he said that  "Maclin's trying to get a contract, so he's probably not going to try and come out of the game." Cooper emphasized that he was joking and admitted he shouldn't have made the comment. He had not spoken to Maclin as of Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm supposed to sub every four, five plays and that's what I do," Cooper said. "Maclin, I guess, is a lot better player than me, so he doesn't have to sub. I guess I should have said that yesterday."

Maclin will be a free agent after the season, but the Eagles have expressed interest in a long-term deal. Maclin is no longer represented by agent Ben Dogra of CAA and is likely to stay with the agency and Tom Condon, according to league sources.

Maclin said that the receivers rotation is different on his side than it is on Cooper's side. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said the rotation is fluid.

"We get a couple of long plays or a play where a receiver is involved in something and we may sub in and out," Shurmur said. "We've got a good little system for it. I won't reveal all the details, but that's how we do it."

Inside linebacker Emmanuel Acho was a limited participant in practice with a groin injury. Every other player besides quarterback Nick Foles practiced. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis said Casey Matthews would take on a bigger role if Acho cannot play.