Eagles Today

Eagles' Difference-Making Stars Return to Practice

Two of the Eagles' best players returned to practice Friday in advance of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

John McMullen

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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PHILADELPHIA - Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice for the first time since injuring his hamstring on Sept. 13 during a practice session in advance of Philadelphia’s Week 2 loss to Atlanta.

In the short portion of Friday’s practice open to reporters Brown was seen stretching and was also lining up for individual drills as reporters were ushered out.

The Eagles’ official status report will be released for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay on Friday afternoon.

Also spotted at practice with his helmet was All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, who remains in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 3 win over New Orleans. 

The return to practice would highlight that Johnson is just one step away from full clearance, a positive sign that he is on track to play Sunday against the Bucs.

The news isn’t as good on WR DeVonta Smith, who also suffered a concussion against the Saints. Smith was absent for the third straight day of practice and will likely be ruled out of Sunday’s game later this afternoon.

The Eagles currently only have two fully healthy receivers on the 53-man roster – Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson – after the team also lost Britain Covey in the Saints game with a shoulder injury.

With or without Brown the Eagles could elevate two WRs from the practice squad, most likely Parris Campbell and John Ross. 

MORE NFL: Baker Mayfield Wants Bucs Looking Inward Before Week 4 Matchup With Eagles

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John McMullen
JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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