The run-up to the playoffs has been dominated by injuries for the Philadelphia Eagles. Among the banged up Eagles starters is WR A.J. Brown, who led the team in receiving yards in 2023.
Brown suffered a knee injury in Week 18 of the NFL regular season and was unable to return. His status was uncertain leading up to Monday night’s Wild Card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it appears Brown will need a bit more time to recover.
Will A.J. Brown Play in the Wild Card Round?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that Brown is officially out of Monday night’s Wild Card round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a sprained knee.
Brown injured his knee in the first quarter of the Eagles’ loss to the New York Giants in Week 18 and didn’t return to the action. The receiver did get up after some time on the ground and fortunately was able to head to the sidelines on his own.
Luckily, Brown didn’t suffer from an ACL injury, but his sprained knee is enough for him to miss at least one game. Throughout the week, Brown was unable to participate in practice, casting doubt on his status leading up to the weekend.
Schefter reports that although Brown will miss the first round of the playoffs, if the Eagles move on, the star wideout “has made enough progress” to potentially be available for the Divisional Round.
The loss of Brown is huge for the Eagles, who will be without their top receiver. Brown had 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2023 regular season and has again been one of the top pass catchers in the NFL.
Brown’s absence means that the Eagles will be relying upon Devonta Smith to step up. Smith himself has been struggling with injuries and didn’t play in Week 18, but the former Alabama Crimson Tide star will be available on Monday night after being a full participant in practice ahead of the playoff clash.
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If Smith is on a snap count, then the Eagles will need to increase targets to Dallas Goedert, Julio Jones, and Quez Watkins.
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