Star Receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith Ruled Out for Crucial Match Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Star receiver A.J. Brown will join DeVonta Smith on the sidelines, leaving the Eagles in a predicament.

A.J. Brown’s Injury and Uncertain Return

A hamstring injury has kept Brown off the field since Week 1. He made a limited return to practice for the first time since his injury last Friday. However, his status was downgraded to out on Saturday, despite being listed as questionable on the final practice report.

DeVonta Smith’s Concussion Concerns

Smith, on the other hand, has been dealing with concussion symptoms following an incident in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. After a short completion, Smith was struck with a high hit from Saints’ defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Despite the absence of a penalty flag, Boyd was later fined $4,665 for the late hit.

Team Adjustments: Promotions and Stellar Performances

With Brown and Smith out of play, the Eagles have promoted experienced receivers Parris Campbell and John Ross from the practice squad. They’ll team up with Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson on the active game-day roster.

Facing a short-handed team against New Orleans, tight end Dallas Goedert rose to the occasion with a career-best performance, reeling in 10 catches for a massive 170 yards. Running back Saquon Barkley also showcased his prowess, contributing 156 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Jalen Hurts’ Challenges Against the Buccaneers

Quarterback Jalen Hurts has had a rocky history against the Buccaneers’ defense, with a 1-3 record, four touchdowns, five interceptions, and a completion rate of just 58%. The last time the Eagles faced the Bucs, they suffered a heavy 32-9 loss that capped off a disappointing 1-6 slide to end the season. With key players now out, the upcoming rematch might prove a formidable challenge.