The Eagles face the Buccaneers in wild-card action on Monday night in Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia will be forced to overcome the absence of one of its most important offensive pieces, wide receiver A.J. Brown.
NFL insider Adam Schefter first reported the news, saying that Brown "worked hard in his rehab to try to make it back this week, [but] is out for Monday night’s wild-card matchup vs. the Bucs due to his sprained knee, per sources. Brown has made enough progress that, if the Eagles advance, he could return for the divisional playoff. But he’s out Monday night."
Eagles’ WR A.J. Brown, who worked hard in his rehab to try to make it back this week, is out for Monday night’s wild-card matchup vs. the Bucs due to his sprained knee, per sources. Brown has made enough progress that, if the Eagles advance, he could return for the divisional… pic.twitter.com/CsOBMWgE1q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024
Here's a look into everything to know about Brown's injury status, when he could return, and how that will affect the Eagles:
Is A.J. Brown playing vs. Buccaneers today?
Brown has been ruled out of Monday night's contest. Head coach Nick Sirianni had said it would be a "stretch" for Brown to have been able to play with the knee injury.
"He did everything he possibly could to get himself ready," Sirianni said. "Obviously, y'all saw the reports. It's not looking like he's going to go. But he fought like crazy to try to do everything he could do to do so, which doesn't surprise me at all about A.J. He's tough and he'd do anything for his teammates. Unfortunately, he won't be able to rip it this week."
A.J. Brown knee injury update
Brown originally injured his knee in the Week 18 game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. While it's not considered a serious injury, it is preventing him from taking the field in Philly's first playoff games.
This does not, however, mean that he could miss the entirety of the postseason. There is optimism that Brown could be ready to take the field in the divisional round if the Eagles win on Monday.
Without Brown, the Eagles will lean into the likes of DeVonta Smith, Julio Jones, Quez Watkins, and Olamide Zaccheaus.
One positive aspect for the Eagles in this situation, though, is that quarterback Jalen Hurts has been throwing the ball well since he injured his right middle finger in Week 18. Having Hurts not at full capacity while also dealing with Brown being out would have been an even more major setback for Philadelphia.
A.J. Brown stats
Brown has been a force for the Eagles, posting a career high in receptions and being named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro after yet another standout season.
| Games | Targets | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| 17 | 158* | 106* | 1,456 | 7 |
*Career high
