The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but they may be without two of their top receivers, which could make the challenge even tougher. DeVonta Smith has already been ruled out due to a concussion sustained during the team’s Week 3 victory over the New Orleans Saints. This is a significant blow to the Eagles’ offense, as Smith is one of their key offensive weapons and a reliable target for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Adding to the uncertainty is A.J. Brown, who is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup. Brown suffered a hamstring injury during practice two weeks ago, and although he expressed optimism about returning soon, telling ESPN’s Lisa Salters that he might need a few more weeks to recover fully, it is unclear whether he will be ready in time for the Buccaneers game. His status remains up in the air, and a final decision might not come until just before the game. The next clue about his availability will be whether Brown travels with the team to Florida on Saturday. If he does not, it will further suggest that the Eagles will be without their two top wide receivers against Tampa Bay.
Without Smith and potentially Brown, the Eagles’ receiving corps is thin. Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson are the only two wide receivers currently on the active roster. While Dotson has shown promise and Wilson has contributed when called upon, the lack of depth could limit the Eagles’ offensive options, especially against a solid Buccaneers defense. However, the Eagles do have some flexibility with five wide receivers on the practice squad, and they may elevate one or more players to the active roster before game day to provide additional support.
Compounding the Eagles’ injury woes is the questionable status of offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who also suffered a concussion. Like Smith, Johnson is a critical part of the Eagles’ offense, especially in protecting Hurts and helping the running game. His absence would be felt on the offensive line, and the Eagles will be monitoring his status closely leading up to Sunday.
All these injury concerns make the Eagles’ upcoming game against the Buccaneers a tough test. If both Smith and Brown are sidelined, the team will need to rely heavily on other players to step up, especially in the passing game. Additionally, the health of Lane Johnson will be a key factor in determining how well the Eagles can handle Tampa Bay’s defensive pressure. With all these uncertainties, the Eagles’ chances of victory may depend on their depth and adaptability.
