If you roster A.J. Brown in fantasy football, there’s a good chance you’re in a competitive spot given how productive the Philadelphia Eagles star has been for most of the season. He has provided the type of consistent production that leads to tremendous fantasy success, and that is why his thigh injury is one of great interest as we approach the fantasy postseason.
Latest Injury Update on A.J. Brown
Brown continues to nurse a thigh injury that limited him in practice last week as well. On the bright side, while his practice habits last week were managed, his game-day role was unchanged. Despite overall numbers that didn’t jump off the screen, Brown scored and earned 32.1% of the targets in the win over Buffalo.
Did the injury limit his yardage or per-target effectiveness? It’s possible, but we are nitpicking, and Jalen Hurts clearly had no reservations about featuring his top target.
Will Brown Play This Week?
At this point, we have to assume that he will play through this injury until proven otherwise. His week at practice mirrors last week’s, and in another huge game for Philadelphia, it stands to reason that the team is simply trying to save him for game day against the San Francisco 49ers.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Also in the favor of Brown’s managers is that the next game he misses as an Eagle will be his first. After missing five games in a two-season stretch with the Tennessee Titans, Brown has been as healthy as you could ask, a sign to me that indicates that this team is focused on having him ready to produce at the right time each week.
What Does This Mean for Brown’s Fantasy Ranking?
Worried about his matchup against maybe the best defense in football? It would be understandable to take that approach given the nagging nature of this injury and the fact that the 49ers held him in check during the NFC Championship a season ago (28 yards on eight targets), but let’s not forget that Brown has proven matchup-proof at multiple points this season
- WR8 at NYJ in Week 6
- WR7 vs. DAL in Week 9
Brown has earned your fantasy trust in a “start your studs” way. Unless news breaks in the day leading up to kickoff that he is suddenly on the wrong side of questionable, you should feel good about rolling Brown out there as your WR1.
The Eagles travel to Dallas for another tough matchup, but after that, Brown could set the fantasy world ablaze and carry your squad to the promised land.
- Week 15 at SEA
- Week 16 vs. NYG
- Week 17 vs. AZ
This time of year, there are plenty of stressful decisions to make. You need to decide who is your RB2, which Flex option fits best into your roster, and what to get Aunt Mary for the holidays. Brown being on your roster should not be a part of that stress — you can count on him when it matters most, and do so with confidence!
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