A.J. Brown won’t play vs. Bucs but Nick Sirianni has no regrets about playing his starters in Giants loss
A knee injury will keep Brown, who didn't practice this week, out of Monday's game in Tampa Bay.
A.J. Brown won’t play in Monday’s playoff game and Jalen Hurts is nursing an injured finger on his throwing hand, but Nick Sirianni said Saturday that he has no regrets about playing his starters last week against the New York Giants in what became a meaningless game.
Brown, who did not practice this week after suffering a right knee injury in the first quarter of that loss to the Giants, was ruled out of Monday’s wild-card game in Tampa Bay. The starting wide receiver, who caught 106 passes for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season, has a chance to return next week if the Eagles advance. Hurts dislocated the middle finger on his right hand but practiced Friday.
Last week’s scenario to clinch the division was not impossible but it was unlikely: The Eagles needed to win at New York while Washington — which had not won since Nov. 5 — upset Dallas. Neither happened. Now they enter the postseason without their top wideout and could be without Reed Blankenship, who will be a game-time decision after suffering a groin injury against the Giants.
“At that time, I did what I thought was best for the team, and I’ll stick by that,” Sirianni said. “I don’t regret. Am I upset that A.J. is not playing because he got dinged in that game? Of course, I am. But no, I don’t second guess that decision.”
The Eagles have not played a game without Brown since January of 2022, when they were dominated at Tampa in the wild-card round and trailed by 31 points after three quarters.
Brown’s arrival that offseason — along with the development of Hurts and growth of players like DeVonta Smith — made the offense much more dynamic than the unit that struggled two years ago. But they won’t know until Monday how their offense operates without the No. 1 receiver.
“You always miss the contributions that A.J. makes,” Sirianni said. “He’s a phenomenal player, but really excited about the opportunity. And I know we’ve got 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.”
Brown racked up 131 receiving yards against the Bucs in Week 3 while the Eagles rushed for 201 yards, 130 of which were gained by D’Andre Swift.
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The Eagles won’t be able to replace Brown, and Smith may be limited after missing last week’s game with an ankle sprain. They will likely lean more on Julio Jones and Quez Watkins, who have been used sparingly this season. The Eagles could be more inclined to run the football, hoping to mimic the success they found four months ago against the same team.
“He did everything he possibly could to get himself ready,” Sirianni said of Brown. “... He fought like crazy to try to do everything he could do to do so, which doesn’t surprise me at all about A.J. He’s tough and he’d do anything for his teammates. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to rip it this week.”