PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles will begin the playoffs without wide receiver A.J. Brown, arguably their best player, when they oppose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday at Raymond James Stadium.
Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Saturday that Brown, who has missed practice all week with a sprained knee, won’t be ready. And the coach doesn’t regret playing Brown in what turned into a meaningless regular season finale, when his veteran playmaker twisted his right knee being tackled and fumbling in the first quarter.
“It was going to be a stretch for A.J. to play,” Sirianni said. “He did everything possible he could to get himself ready. It’s not looking like he’s going to go. But he fought like crazy to do so. He’s tough and he’d do anything for his teammates. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to rip it this week.”
The loss of Brown will stoke the ire of a growing block of fans critical of the judgement of Sirianni and his coaching staff. At kickoff time last Sunday, the Eagles still had a shot at moving up to the second overall seed had they defeated the Giants and Dallas choked at Washington. Even if that didn’t happen, the players and coaches were willing to settle for getting back on the same page after losing four of the previous five games.
“Like you guys asked me last week, why did we do it?” Sirianni said. “Not knowing what the game meant, wanting to put a good (performance) out there. Neither of those things happened but obviously you can look back on anything. At that time, I did what I thought was best for the team and I’ll stick by that. So, I don’t regret it. Am I upset that A.J.’s not playing because he got dinged in that game? Of course, I am. But I don’t second guess that decision.”
Brown wasn’t the only Eagle lost last week, as safety/special teams standout Sydney Brown tore an ACL and quarterback Jalen Hurts dislocated the middle finger on his throwing hand. Sydney Brown is done for the playoffs. Hurts is on track to play Monday.
“Everyone is going to be fighting through things,” Sirianni said. “He’s fighting through the finger injury, but he had a good practice (Friday) so I’m excited for him and this opportunity. The energy and the juice in this building today of being here and in the playoffs again, we’re really excited. We can’t wait. We can’t wait to be in this game against a really good opponent. Shoot, you play a long season to get to this moment right here and we’re really excited to go.”
Hurts has no status on the injury report, meaning he’s a full go. He returned to action against the Giants, which he questioned as perhaps not the smartest decision to have made for himself.
Sirianni is confident the Eagles have enough playmakers to prevail without A.J. Brown, his short list composed of DeVonta Smith, coming back from an ankle injury, Quez Watkins, Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus. Sirianni added running back D’Andre Swift to the group. In the last game, Britain Covey emerged as a threat in the slot.
“I’m excited for those guys to get a little more of an opportunity,” Sirianni said. “Obviously you miss the contributions that A.J. makes. He’s a phenomenal player, but really excited about the opportunity. One reason we’re in this game and in this position is because of the pass catchers we have in addition to A.J. Brown.”
Smith declined comment Saturday, but Zaccheaus and Covey stood tall. The next-man-up philosophy rules.
“I trust Julio, I trust Smitty,” Covey said. “Quez always feels like he has something to prove. OZ is one of the best guys. And you know me. I’ve already got a chip on my shoulder. I trust us.”
Even without Brown, who ranks among the league leaders and tops the Eagles with 1,456 receiving yards and seven scoring grabs, Zaccheaus says the vibe in the wide receiver room is, “Everybody is ready.”
“We always prepare like we’re playing 100 snaps,” he said. “t doesn’t really affect anything we do. Obviously we know what A.J.brings to the table. But at the same time we’re going to go out there with who’s available and we’ve got to make it happen. I just think at the end of the day it’s about winning. Whatever that looks like we need to go out and give it our all.”
The Eagles have their fingers crossed that safety Reed Blankenship (groin) will be able to play, although that appears to be a longshot. The team is working nickel back Avonte Maddox in at safety.
“Reed, he’s progressing,” Sirianni said. “He’s got a chance. Probably be a little bit more of a game-time decision with him. He’s going to go out there and work today. We’ll see how he feels. Probably work out on the field on Monday night. So, we’re hopeful that he can go but we’ll see.”
Blankenship was listed questionable on the injury report.
The Eagles likely will elevate safety Tristan McCollum from the practice squad. Rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo could get snaps at safety.
Source: Berkshire mont
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