PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ top playmaker was a spectator Wednesday.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown missed practice with a hamstring injury, raising questions about his availability heading into Sunday’s rematch with the New York Giants.
Brown’s absence headlined a banged-up practice report that included several key players. Also out were cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), center Cam Jurgens (knee), edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (ankle).
Limited were cornerback Jakorian Bennett (pectoral), tight ends Dallas Goedert (calf) and Grant Calcaterra (oblique), left guard Landon Dickerson (ankle/back) and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (shoulder).
Defensive end Brandon Graham, freshly signed out of retirement, was listed as a full participant.
Brown is coming off a four-catch, 121-yard performance that included two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. He had six for 80 in the embarrassing loss to the Giants two weeks ago. If his hamstring problem lingers, the ripple effect would certainly be significant — especially with both tight ends beaten-up.
Goedert has 24 receptions for 243 yards and remains a crucial security blanket for quarterback Jalen Hurts on third downs and in the red zone, but various ailments continue to dog him.
Drama has surrounded Brown, who hasn’t been thrilled with his underuse dating back to last year. Even after his clutch performance in Minneapolis, he posted on Instagram: “Using me but not using me,” implying he still needs more targets.
Coach Nick Sirianni didn’t offer a timeline but kept the door open for him to play Sunday.
“We’ll monitor him day-to-day and see how he responds,” Sirianni said Wednesday. “We’ll always do what’s best for the player and the team. We always prepare for different contingencies, but obviously, A.J. is one of the best in the league. He changes the way defenses play us.”
Brown has played through minor injuries before, but the Eagles’ medical staff is expected to be cautious. A hamstring issue for a receiver of his caliber can be tricky, especially this early in the season. He missed some time in camp because of a hamstring.
Beyond Brown, the offensive line remains a concern. Continuity up front has already been a challenge this season — Hurts has been sacked 18 times through seven games, including three in the loss to New York earlier this month, and Saquon Barkley has struggled to find holes running the ball.
Hurts and the Birds’ passing attack were impressive in Sunday’s 28-22 win over the Vikings, putting up an efficient 326 yards. The QB was happy to bounce back after a two-game slide.
“The feeling of losing, simple as that… I think definitely there was some fire there,” Hurts said. “But within that fire, you have to be the calm, and focus on executing your job.”
The rematch with the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field — in which the Birds will break out their Kelly Green jerseys for the first time this season — comes just 17 days after the Eagles were dominated 34-17 at MetLife Stadium on Thursday Night Football. In that game, the Giants forced a pair of turnovers and bottled up the Eagles’ attack in the second half. Hurts was under constant duress.
The Giants are excited about their rookie QB Jaxson Dart and their defensive front, led by edge rusher Brian Burns and his nine sacks. But they just suffered a historic collapse against the Denver Broncos in which they blew a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter.
“We know what this game means — every division game means something big,” DeVonta Smith said. “Our mindset is to be ready, execute and leave nothing on the field.”
Graham: Something still left in tank
After defensive end Za’Darius Smith abruptly retired following the first Giants game, the Eagles had a glaring need at a position that was already thin. For 37-year-old Brandon Graham, it made sense to come back.
“I knew I wasn’t all the way done, honestly,” Graham said. “When Za’Darius retired, it just felt like it was the perfect thing to do. ‘Cause obviously he was in my locker and to get it back and just to (say), ‘Let’s go do this thing again.’ That’s how I feel. It’s like we got an opportunity again and (I) just wanna be able to just go to war with my brothers every week.”
Graham went out on top last season and was part of both the Eagles’ Super Bowl championships. It was a storybook ending, but he says he still has a story to tell.
“That storybook will still be there,” he said. “But reality set in, I still had the urge. And of course, I felt like I was still on my game last year, and I still feel like I could help the team. If I didn’t feel like that, man, I wouldn’t be back.”
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
Source: Berkshire mont