The Philadelphia Eagles took a bit of a beating in the oppressive heat of a Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans — something that’s seemingly continued into their preparation for a Week 3 Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears.
Friday’s injury report included 1 surprise entry in free-agent signee wide receiver and former 1st-round pick Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
“Eagles WR Hollywood Brown was a new entry on the injury list and didn’t practice with an ankle injury on Friday,” The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane wrote on his official X account.
Brown suited up but didn’t play in a Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders — not a single offensive snap — but had 2 carries for 12 yards in the Week 2 win over the Titans.
He’s yet to catch a pass or even get a single target in 2 games after signing a 1-year, $5 million free-agent contract with the Eagles this offseason.
“Eagles WR Hollywood Brown didn’t play any offensive snaps during Week 1 in Philadelphia,” Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote on his official X account on Friday. “Yet Eagles first-year OC Sean Mannion may have found a unique role for Brown in Week 2.”
Eagles Signed Hollywood Brown for WR3 Role
The Eagles have needed a 3rd wide receiver option for the last few years — a role that was filled by Jahan Dotson at times, but more often than not left a lot to be desired as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith carried the load.
Brown was a 1st-round pick (No. 25 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft. He forced his way out of Baltimore in a 2022 trade to the Arizona Cardinals and spent the last 2 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Breaking: The Eagles are signing former Chiefs WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown to a 1-year deal worth up to $6.5M, multiple sources tell me,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on March 17. “The explosive Brown had 49 catches for 587 yards and 5 TDs last season.”
Turns Out … the Eagles Had Other Plans at WR
That WR3 role was likely what Brown thought he was being brought in to fill when he signed — the room just got really crowded, really quickly.
After signing Brown, the Eagles traded with the Green Bay Packers for wide receiver Dontavyion Wicks on April 11 and signed him to a 1-year, $12.5 million contract extension, then used their 1st-round pick on USC wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon.
Eagles Give Surprise Injury Update on Former 1st-Round Pick