Why Resting A.J. Brown Against the Buccaneers is a Smart Choice for the Eagles
receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice after being sidelined for weeks. Brown has missed the last tEagles fans received positive news ahead receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice after being sidelined for weeks. Brown has missed the last tEagles fans received positive news ahead of the Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when star widewo games due to a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for the Bucs matchup.
Having Brown back on the field would be a huge boost, especially with fellow star receiver DeVonta Smith ruled out due to a concussion suffered in Week 3 against the Saints. Philadelphia lacks depth at the wide receiver position behind these two key players.
Why Sitting A.J. Brown Against the Bucs is a Smart Mov
Though the Eagles managed to win against the Saints without both of their top receivers, relying on this situation for a full game is less than ideal. Brown’s possible return is exciting, but resting him for the game against Tampa Bay may be the best option for the Eagles.
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amstring injuries are delicate and can worsen without proper recovery time. With the Eagles’ bye week in Week 5, sitting Brown against Tampa Bay would give him an additional two weeks to fully heal, reducing the risk of aggravating the injury.
An early bye offers the advantage of extra recovery time, but it also means playing the rest of the season without another break. Being cautious now and resting Brown could ensure he’s healthy for the long haul.
Furthermore, the Eagles are early enough in the season that a potential loss to Tampa Bay, dropping them to 2-2, wouldn’t be devastating. They would still be in a good position for the NFC playoff race. A healthy A.J. Brown for the majority of the season is far more valuable than risking him in one game, even if it means a temporary setback.
Despite the absence of Brown and Smith, the Eagles still have playmakers. Tight end Dallas Goedert is coming off a 170-yard performance against the Saints, and Saquon Barkley has been a standout in the NFL so far. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is also a dynamic weapon when he’s not committing turnovers. Philadelphia has enough talent to secure a win, even without their top receivers.
In the end, if Brown is healthy and feels ready to play, that’s great news. But if there’s any hesitation or concern about his fitness, it’s wise for the Eagles to take a cautious approach, think long-term, and let Brown rest until after the bye.
