After another day sitting out at practice, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was ruled out on Friday for their week 8 showdown with the New York Giants.
The Eagles listed Brown as out for Sunday because of his hamstring injury, according to the team’s official X account.
Earlier Friday, before practice, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni addressed Brown’s injury in cryptic terms, saying the Eagles would need to further evaluate the wideout’s status for their game Sunday against the New York Giants.
Brown has been nursing a hamstring injury, which he sustained in the Eagles’ 28-22 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Brown did not practice all week, including Friday.
Brown has 395 receiving yards on 29 catches this season with three touchdowns for the Eagles (5-2), and he is coming off a four-catch, 121-yard performance against the Vikings.
Philadelphia could use Brown, who put up seven catches for 80 yards against the Giants in its 34-17 loss at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 9.
Before A.J. Brown Was Ruled Out, Nick Sirianni Said He Is a Rare Player Who Could Play Even Without Practicing All Week
Sirianni was asked point blank about Brown’s status before practice Friday, then he said he’d have to wait and see what happened on the practice field.
“We always want the most time to be able to evaluate before we give [the media] any information,” Sirianni said.
Sirianni said Brown was one of the exceptions that could play if he did not get any practice reps.
“Everybody has different scenarios with that,” Sirianni said. “I think a lot of our guys, just because of how locked in we are to the details, and our guys are locked into the details, the game-plan studying, the way they go about the walkthrough, the way they go about meetings, I definitely think he’s a guy that could [play].”
Brown’s position-mate DeVonta Smith said he wasn’t if Brown would be able to step on the field with no practice reps, citing the game plan as the only potential obstacle. Smith, obviously, hopes Brown is able to suit up for the Eagles’ home game against the Giants.
“He’s a great player,” Smith said. “We hope for him to be out there, but we have to adjust if that’s the case that he’s not out there. Everyone’s going to have to study a little harder. Guys are going to be moving around in different spots and things.”
The Eagles Are Still In Contact With A.J. Brown About His Social Media Posts
The timing of Brown’s injury is tough since he is finally starting to find his rhythm on the field this year. He is averaging 100.5 yards and a touchdown per game over the past two weeks.
Yet, his injury is also intriguing since it coincides with some Brown-related drama about his usage.
Despite his season-best performance in terms of yards against Minnesota, Brown did so on just four catches on his second-fewest number of targets this year (6), which prompted a cryptic social-media post.
Yet, when asked about Sirianni’s thoughts on Brown’s posts, the head coach punted again.
“We’re in constant communication with all our guys. A.J.’s no different,” Sirianni said. “Business as usual [with Brown].”
Eagles Get Major Update on A.J. Brown Injury Before Giants Game