TAMPA, Fla. – The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight in the NFC Wild Card Round without two key starters. On the offensive side, wide receiver A.J. Brown is sidelined with a knee injury he sustained in the regular-season finale. Meanwhile, starting safety Reed Blankenship will be inactive due to a groin injury.
As the Eagles prepare for this crucial playoff matchup, they are also welcoming back three starters. Cornerback Darius Slay, who missed the final four games of the season, has recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 17, is ready to return. Additionally, running back D’Andre Swift, who was sidelined due to an illness in the regular-season finale, is now available. All three players participated fully in the team’s final practice and have no game status designations.
While the Eagles deal with the absence of Brown and Blankenship, the team can rely on the leadership of quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts injured his finger during last Sunday’s game but has been cleared to play and is listed as QB1 with no game status designation.
In the midst of these developments, rookie safety Sydney Brown’s season has come to an end after tearing his ACL in a recent game against the New York Giants. This is undoubtedly a setback for the Eagles, as Brown had been making significant contributions.
Notably, the Eagles have elevated cornerback Mekhi Garner and safety Tristin McCollum from the practice squad for tonight’s game in Tampa Bay. This strategic move demonstrates the team’s proactive approach to filling the gaps left by injured players.
On the Buccaneers’ side, quarterback Baker Mayfield will start tonight’s game despite earlier concerns about ankle and rib injuries. Mayfield’s progress throughout the week has convinced the team that he is fit to lead them in this playoff matchup.
It’s worth noting that running back Patrick Laird and linebacker Jose Ramirez, who were elevated from the practice squad, will not be active for the game.
As the Eagles face the Buccaneers in this highly anticipated Wild Card Round, their depth will be tested without Brown and Blankenship. However, the return of Slay, Smith, and Swift along with the addition of Garner and McCollum provides some optimism for the team’s chances. The stage is set for an intense and hard-fought showdown in Tampa Bay.