The Eagles began their 2024 season with a neutral site game in São Paulo, Brazil against the Packers. In Week 2, Philadelphia faced the Falcons at home on Monday Night Football, missing Pro Bowl WR A.J. Brown due to a hamstring injury.
Brown sustained the injury in practice on Friday and was unable to play on Monday night. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown informed reporters that he anticipates being out for a couple of weeks. This marked Brown’s first missed regular season game since joining the Eagles in 2022. In Brown’s absence, the Eagles will heavily rely on De’Vonta Smith and the rest of their receiving core.
Can the Eagles weather the storm without A.J. Brown?
Eagles WR AJ Brown informed ESPN’s @saltersl that he expects to miss a couple of weeks due to the hamstring injury he suffered on Friday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2024
During Monday night’s game against the Falcons, the Eagles played without A.J. Brown. With Brown out, De”Vonta Smith took over as Philadelphia’s WR1. Smith, a former Heisman Trophy winner, was targeted 10 times and recorded seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta. Quarterback Jalen Hurts targeted WR Brintan Covey second most, with six targets and six catches. After throwing for 278 yards in Week 1 against Green Bay, Hurts was limited to under 200 passing yards in Week 2.
The absence of A.J. Brown, who had 119 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 1, was felt by the Eagles. He is Hurts’ primary target when on the field and has posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,400 receiving yards for the Eagles. As Brown recovers, Philadelphia will turn to De’Vonta Smith for offensive production. The Eagles are set to face the Saints in Week 3, where their offense will need to match the explosiveness of New Orleans, who have been averaging 45.4 points per game in the 2024 season. Philadelphia will be on the road in Week 3 to take on the Saints.
