Most contending teams try their hardest to avoid key injuries in Week 18, but for some, the risk is unavoidable. The Eagles weren’t able to sit their starters for Sunday’s game against the Giants thanks to a late-season slide, which put them in need of a win and some help to win the NFC East in Week 18. Now, Philadelphia could be without a key cog in its offense entering the playoffs.
WR A.J. Brown went down in a heap early in Sunday’s game, suffering an apparent knee injury on MetLife Stadium turf that has drawn widespread criticism in recent years.
The Eagles have regressed on both sides of the ball this season, but the dynamic duo of Brown and DeVonta Smith remains one of the reasons the team still has hope of a deep playoff run. Losing Brown for any amount of time would be a gigantic blow to those hopes.
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Here are the latest updates on Brown’s injury and his status going forward.
A.J. Brown injury update
Brown exited Sunday’s game with a knee injury and was ruled out after initially being listed as questionable to return. He was in visible pain after going down on the field but was able to walk off the field and into the medical tent.
Brown suffered the injury on a fumble, getting tangled up with Giants cornerback Nick McCloud. He immediately grabbed his knee and appeared to be in serious discomfort.
Nick McCloud forces an AJ Brown fumble for Micah McFadden pic.twitter.com/OeE9AdfZtt
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) January 7, 2024
In a positive sign, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Josh Tolentino reported Brown didn’t appear to be limping on his way back to the Eagles’ locker room.
A.J. Brown does not have any type of noticeable limp as he walks to the locker room with trainers.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) January 7, 2024
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Brown’s ACL is believed to be intact, giving Eagles fans an opportunity to exhale just a bit.
Based on the initial exam, it appears the ACL is intact. https://t.co/HxjOuXyNN3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2024
It’s tough to imagine Brown returning at all on Sunday, even with an NFC East title potentially on the line. The Eagles are already locked into a playoff spot, and it simply might not be worth risking further injury even in a best-case scenario.
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Even if Brown’s injury isn’t a long-term issue, the Eagles can’t exactly afford a short-term absence, either. Philadelphia will be playing on wild-card weekend regardless of how the NFC East shakes out, leaving no extended break for Brown to rest up and get healthy.
Brown entered Week 18 with 1,447 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. As the Eagles’ offense has sputtered, however, so has his production. Brown had six games of at least 100 yards before November, but he has just one in his last eight contests.
To make matters worse, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts suffered an apparent finger injury later in the first half but was able to return.
