Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
After missing Monday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice on Friday, Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown believes this could be the start of an extended absence.
The wideout explained the situation to ESPN’s Lisa Salters (h/t Field Yates):
Field Yates @FieldYates
Per @saltersl on the Monday Night Football broadcast, she spoke to AJ Brown about his hamstring injury and while “he does not think it’s too serious, he does expect to miss a couple of weeks.”
The injury occurred while running a route in practice on Friday.
This news comes amid reports the Eagles were expecting Brown back on the field soon.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported ahead of Monday Night Football that the Eagles “maybe could have pushed him to play tonight,” but decided it wasn’t worth it.
“They did not place him on IR, so that tells you that they expect this to be a short-term absence,” Garafolo said. “My understanding is they hope it’s a very short-term absence and he can return to play as soon as their next coming game right now.”
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: The hope is #Eagles WR A.J. Brown’s absence is a very short one. In the meantime, Jahan Dotson should get increased looks. pic.twitter.com/TMQ4rjWfle
Brown was originally placed on the injury report as questionable and head coach Nick Sirianni said his hamstring was “a little tight” in practice, per ESPN’s Tim McManus. He did not practice on Saturday and was downgraded to out on Sunday.
The star wide receiver, who inked a three-year, $96 million contract this offseason, recorded back-to-back 1,400-receiving yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 and had 18 touchdowns across the past two years.
Brown had a strong start to the 2024 season, recording 119 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo.
With Brown out against the Falcons and potentially longer, the Eagles will look to DeVonta Smith to lead the way in the wide receiver room. Jahan Dotson, who Philadelphia acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Commanders, will also likely take on a bigger role.
Dotson didn’t have any receptions in Week 1 but is coming off a solid second season that saw him pull in 49 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns.