The Eagles are headed south again to take on their 3rd straight NFC South opponent.
With another similar environment to last season: playing in the rain.
From the Seahawks and Patriots games in 2023 to hosting the Jaguars in a downpour, this Eagles team is familiar with playing in unfavorable conditions.
Rain is just one concern to the much more pressing matters for the Eagles this weekend.
Injuries to the Offense
As if missing A.J. Brown wasn’t noticeable by now, the Eagles will also find themselves without DeVonta Smith heading into this weekend.
While all three were spotted at practice this morning, the Eagles were quick to rule DeVonta Smith out of today’s injury report.
Friday’s Injury Report#PHIvsTB pic.twitter.com/TgDyCS5tBW
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 27, 2024
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With A.J. Brown listed as questionable, there could be some hope for the offense to get back one of their two 1,000-yard receivers. This offensive group has been tattered with injuries, with Ainias Smith being joined by Britain Covey on IR and Johnny Wilson, who has already been on and off the injury reports during the opening weeks of the season.
However, there’s a bigger piece to the puzzle who could miss Sunday’s game.
Since 2013, the Eagles are 14-22 without Lane Johnson at right tackle. And with him leaving Sunday’s game with a reported concussion, it was time to panic. That was until both Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson were able to come in for the injured linemen and take control of the game.
Maybe things weren’t so bad after all.
Tyler Steen played 57 snaps in relief yesterday and he gave up 0 sacks, 0 hurries, 0 QB hits, and 0 pressures on the QB.
Turned 24 a few months ago, and was given the 3rd best pass blocking grade for offensive linemen in week 3. To have this luxury with your 6th/7th offensive… pic.twitter.com/OmqPmEcR9Y
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) September 23, 2024
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There’s plenty of season left to play, and a bye week is around the corner.
If the Eagles can have another dominating defensive performance, there’s no need to rush these players back if they can be at 100% following the bye.
Getting That Tiebreaker
All four teams in the NFC East will take on the entirety of the NFC South this season. With the Eagles having started 1-1 against the Falcons and Saints, some of their division rivals have already started doing them some favors for later in the year.
With the Cowboys losing to the Saints and the Commanders losing to the Buccaneers, the Eagles could do wonders if they were able to go 2-1 against this string of NFCS matchups. Starting the year 3-1 would be a benefit itself (they are already 1 game ahead of the Cowboys). The Eagles could head into the Bye Week to get healthy for the Week 6 game against the Browns, whom the Giants and Cowboys have already beaten. The Commanders will play in Week 5.
Buccaneers Lengthy Injury Report
The Eagles aren’t the only ones with a few players of note on the injury report.
Week 4 statuses
#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/XiKIkrS5EQ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 27, 2024
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It’s only Friday, and the Buccaneers have already started to pile up a lengthy injury report, with Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield already listed as out. There’s a chance that even without A.J. & DeVonta, the Eagles offense could still thrive.
And that’s before we get to the role that Vita Vea’s absence will benefit the Eagles’ run game with Saquon Barkley, who currently leads the NFL in rushing yards with 351.
Will the Eagles be able to build on their gutsy performance against the Saints?
Or is there still some trauma from the Wildcard loss to the Buccaneers less than nine months ago?
PHOTO: Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images
The post PREVIEW – Week 4: A Tattered Offense and Another Visit to Tampa Bay appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.