The Philadelphia Eagles are set for a pivotal Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, and they’ll finally have their top wide receiver duo back on the field. Coming off a Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record, the Eagles are eager to bounce back from their 33-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a game played without both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
A.J. Brown, who has been sidelined since Week 1 due to a hamstring injury, is ready to return after nearly a month of recovery. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Brown is cleared to play and will take the field against the Browns. This is a significant boost for Philadelphia’s offense, which has struggled without its star receiver.
The absence of Brown has been evident in the Eagles’ performance. In the three games without him, quarterback Jalen Hurts managed just two touchdown passes, highlighting the impact Brown’s dynamic presence has on the team’s passing attack. Brown’s return could be the spark the Eagles need to regain their offensive rhythm.
In his only appearance this season, during the Eagles’ Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Brown showcased his playmaking ability with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. The 27-year-old, now in his third season with the Eagles, has been a game-changer since his arrival from the Tennessee Titans in 2022. After back-to-back 1,400+ receiving yard seasons, Brown’s absence left a void the Eagles struggled to fill.
Without Brown, DeVonta Smith stepped up as the WR1 but was also sidelined after taking a concussion-inducing hit in Week 3. His absence compounded Philadelphia’s issues in Week 4 against Tampa Bay. However, after the bye week, Smith has been cleared to play, meaning Hurts will have his top two targets back in action for the first time since Week 1.
With Brown and Smith both active, the Eagles’ offense will look to reignite against a tough Cleveland defense. Jalen Hurts, who has struggled to find the end zone in recent games, is expected to heavily target Brown as the team looks to exploit the Browns’ secondary.
The Eagles, now armed with a fully-loaded receiving corps, aim to shift their momentum and climb above .500 as they take on the Browns on the road. For Philly fans, the hope is that the long-awaited return of their top receivers will be the turning point their season needs.
