The Philadelphia Eagles secured a much-needed win in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, though their victory came with some concerns. Despite scoring just 15 points, the Eagles managed to rack up 460 total yards and dominate time of possession, while their defense held the Saints to only 219 yards and 12 points. However, injuries continue to be an issue for the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, three key Eagles players — Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown, standout receiver DeVonta Smith, and All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson — were absent from the start of Wednesday’s practice. Their absence raises questions about their availability for the Eagles’ upcoming road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.
The Eagles will be facing a Buccaneers team that started the 2024 season strong with two wins but is now coming off a surprising home loss to the Denver Broncos. This adds extra motivation for Tampa Bay as they prepare for a rematch against Philadelphia. The Buccaneers were responsible for ending the Eagles’ playoff run last season in the wild-card round, making this matchup even more intense.
For the Eagles, health is becoming a growing concern. After a disappointing end to last season, the team’s inconsistency due to injuries is raising questions about which version of the Eagles will show up each week. While Philadelphia remains a contender on paper, the team’s ability to stay competitive may be hindered if key players continue to miss time.
The Eagles’ success moving forward will depend not only on their ability to improve on the field but also on their health. It’s difficult for any team to find consistency when their top performers are battling injuries week after week. With Brown, Smith, and Johnson missing practice, Philadelphia’s preparation for the Buccaneers is under a cloud of uncertainty.
As the season progresses, the Eagles will need to address these health concerns to stay in contention. While the team showed potential in their Week 3 win, the ongoing injury issues could make it challenging to maintain momentum and stability, especially as they face strong opponents like Tampa Bay.