Eagles Star Misses Practice Thursday Before Sunday's Playoff Game
01/09/2025 04:55 PM
The Philadelphia Eagles still have injuries issues to resolve before their Wild Card Round playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Philadelphia received good news when Jalen Hurts returned to Wednesday's practice for the first time since sustaining a concussion in Week 16. The star quarterback appears on the right track toward playing this Sunday.
Eagles fans will now switch their concern over to A.J. Brown. The wide receiver was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury and rest.
Brown missed Thursday's practice. However, ESPN's Tim McManus said the Eagles still aren't worried about his availability for this weekend. Brown sitting out Thursday was "part of the plan" to have him ready for the postseason.
According to McManus, the Eagles also planned for Brown to leave Wednesday's practice early.
Brown and the Eagles will hope to avoid a repeat of last year. Following his third Pro Bowl campaign, he missed their first-round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hamstring injury.
The former Tennessee Titans star began the 2024 season with 119 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia's Week 1 win over Green Bay in Brazil. However, Brown missed the next three games.
Despite also resting during an inconsequential Week 18, Brown notched his third straight 1,000-yard season since joining the Eagles. Yet his targets dipped from 9.3 to 7.5 per game.
Last month, Brown noted Philadelphia's room for passing improvement after settling for four catches and 43 yards in a Week 14 win over the Carolina Panthers. He responded by catching 19 of 31 targets for 243 yards and three touchdowns in his final three games.
The Eagles can't afford to lose Brown in the playoffs again. They scored 72 points in the four games he missed.
Philadelphia's offense rarely utilizes any playmakers beyond Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert. The team's No. 3 wide receiver, Jahan Dotson, recorded 19 receptions for 216 yards this season.
Sunday's NFC Wild Card game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Related: Eagles Announce Wednesday Update On Jalen Hurts Ahead Of Playoff Game
