Remember how Alshon Jeffery wasn’t really making a ton of contested catches at the beginning of the season?

“That’s what he was brought here to do!” everyone shouted in unison.

Opinions varied. Was he not that great? Was he not on the same page as Carson Wentz? Was he not a bona fide WR1?

Well, Jeffery apparently played hurt all year long, according to Ian Rapopopoport:

I love this type of news, you know, the mysterious injury that no one knows about until the post-season surgery.

Keep in mind, Alshon was on a one-year “prove it” deal, which he turned into four years and $52 million. That doesn’t happen if he doesn’t soldier through the early portion of the year with a new team, new offense, and new quarterback.

It culminated in plays like these:

Jeffery finished the regular season with 57 catches for 789 yards and nine touchdowns. In the playoffs, he added 12 grabs for 219 yards, three scores and a Super Bowl ring.