Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Eric Hartline
For the first time in a few weeks, the Friday injury report looks promising for the Eagles as they prepare for their Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns:
Friday's Injury Report#CLEvsPHI pic.twitter.com/66meyfMDRf
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 11, 2024
DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson both suffered concussions during Philadelphia's Week 3 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints, departing that game early and missing Week 4's 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both have cleared concussion protocol and were full participants in Friday's practice.
Also absent from that Week 4 loss at Raymond James Stadium was A.J. Brown, who hasn't played since Week 1's 34-29 over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. Brown suffered a hamstring injury in the Friday practice before Week 2's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Understandably, the Eagles were cautious in how quickly they brought him along from a hamstring injury, but after a month off, Brown should be good to go.
Whether the Eagles would have won in Week 4 if they had Smith, Johnson and Brown in the lineup is unclear considering how poor of an effort Nick Sirianni's team put forth. But Johnson is a two-time All-Pro right tackle, while Brown and Smith combined for 2,522 receiving yards a year ago. Obviously, you're a much better team with those three on the field.
The 2-2 Eagles are currently 9 1/2-point favorites over a struggling — that's putting it nicely — Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. If this season is going to be anything, they need to take care of business at home Sunday afternoon.
